Thermostat Housing Bolts

[Rodosuta]

I have an early 1600 engine with the Three Bolt Thermostat Housing.
So I went through the predictable routine of breaking off a bolt then spending two days trying to get out what was left in the housing.

I managed to get the stuck bolt out without any damage to the housing.

So, is there a source for replacement bolts or do I improvise?

[greydog]

Nice work. Those buggers are not easy to get out.
My Ace Hardware has an excellent selection of Metric and SAE bolts in stainless and steel (and brass).
If you aren't as lucky, McMaster Carr is a good source too.
BTW, if you elect to use steel bolts again, slather them with Neverseize when you reinstall it.
You (or the next owner) will thank you.
Dan

[theunz]

Fastenal is a great source for nuts and bolts. If they don't have what you need in stock they can usually get it for you in a day or two, and in most cases with no shipping charges. No minimum purchase either!

[Rodosuta]

So, my former ACE Hardware here in my town in North Carolina is now Town and Country Hardware. We still have an ACE a few miles away, but near by is Town and Country.

Well, they have, right out of the box, what I need.
Perfect fit, 5/16 and 18!

Not sure if that was original or that is what the PO put in.
It doesn't matter to me. I have what I need to put back as they say, "Restitutio ad integrum".

Thanks so much for your replies !!!

[ppeters914]

Don't forget to be generous with the anti-seize.

[C.Costine]

Don't forget to be generous with the anti-seize.

I was going to make this suggestion as well. But let me add, Give them a good coating all the way up to protect the full length of the bolts from electrolysis.

[notoptoy]

IT may just be the picture, but the replacement bolts look longer than what you pulled out. Be careful, overtightening with too-many threads into a captive block hole could end up cracking the surround, without getting the housing tight enough to seal - don't ask me tell you me how I know this. Just double check that those are the right length - or ignore me if it's just an optical illusion.

[Rodosuta]

Great advice on the bolt length. I have made that mistake in the past.
The way I took the photo distorts the length. They are exactly as what I removed.

[mraitch]

studs be better than bolts !

[Phred58]

Question for the comment - studs be better than bolts? Why? If the bolt length is correct (so you don't risk stripping the hole threads from bottoming out the bolt), I prefer bolts because once the bolts are removed, the thermostat tower, whether it's an actual R16 tower or a U20 thermostat spacer, comes loose from the head easier with a "gentle" bump from a deadblow hammer; corrosion bonding becomes less of a problem too. I understand alignment of multiple parts is easier with studs so is the concern the repeated threading and unthreading of the bolts into an aluminum head?