XJ6 & XJ12 Series I, II & III 1968-1992

British Nuts and Bolts

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Old 05-06-2019, 04:42 PM
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Default British Nuts and Bolts

Does anyone have a good source for nuts and bolts to fit an XJ6 Series I? I am constantly frustrated with not having the right bolt or nut and buying them one at a time from places like SNG Barrat or XKs Unlimited is killing me with shipping. I did buy a kit from an outfit in England but they are all fine thread, no coarse. Barrat has a pack of 100 but those also seem to be all fine. I would appreciate some input and direction.

Thanks.
 

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05-07-2019, 02:54 AM
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Not much help from way down here, as BSF, BSW are still found without too much stress.

I remember my Dad had a chart similar to this hanging in the shed when I was a lad, and he had a MK4 Jaguar, then a proper S Type, and he was a Boat Builder.


 
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Old 05-06-2019, 05:34 PM
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Hmmm. The British use feet and inches like the US. I take the old ones to Lowe's and find replacements often in stainless. I have heard there are some metrics sprinkled throughout but I haven't run across them yet.
 
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Old 05-06-2019, 06:33 PM
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There's a number of places online if you know the sizes. I bought many suspension nuts and bolts from Fastenal and they weren't any more expensive than the hardware store.
 
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Old 05-06-2019, 06:56 PM
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I too, take a sample to ACE hardware, mile-away, and also go for the stainless lock nuts. If you get 1/2 dozen of 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and 7/16 NC thread, you will find it will cover most all routine requirements for a Jaguar. I use the stainless washers too. 5/16 and 7/16 seem to be the most common. I have a XJ6 S3 and have to watch for metrics that have crept in here and there. If you are working on suspension or critical engine points, Grade 5 or even 8 are options.
Rgds David
 

Last edited by David84XJ6; 05-06-2019 at 09:56 PM. Reason: info clarification
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Old 05-07-2019, 02:54 AM
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Not much help from way down here, as BSF, BSW are still found without too much stress.

I remember my Dad had a chart similar to this hanging in the shed when I was a lad, and he had a MK4 Jaguar, then a proper S Type, and he was a Boat Builder.


 
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Old 05-07-2019, 06:18 AM
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Apart from Lucas electrical items, where there may well be some BA (British Association), threads or even metric, the nuts and bolts will be UNF (United National Fine) or UNC (United National Coarse). The latter are usually found where studs are mounted into aluminium parts like the cylinder head, (UNC one end and UNF at the other). I don't think there are any Whitworth or BSF threads in the XJs.
 
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Old 05-07-2019, 06:49 AM
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Old 05-07-2019, 07:14 AM
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Try BA Bolts. They have everything. Especially the BA threads for SU's.
As Grant says, we can source most stuff at local bolt shops, but nuts & bolts for the SU's are hard to find.

https://www.ba-bolts.co.uk/
 
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Old 05-07-2019, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Fraser Mitchell
Apart from Lucas electrical items, where there may well be some BA (British Association), threads or even metric, the nuts and bolts will be UNF (United National Fine) or UNC (United National Coarse). The latter are usually found where studs are mounted into aluminium parts like the cylinder head, (UNC one end and UNF at the other). I don't think there are any Whitworth or BSF threads in the XJs.

Yup! With UNF being most prevalent throughout the car.

Some of the brake hydraulics are metric.

The only truly oddball size/thread I've comes across is the firewall "+" junction posts. And, I'll wager those were supplied by Lucas, as you mention.

Cheers
DD
 
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Old 05-07-2019, 10:49 AM
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When needed, I found replacements at the local Ace hardware. An impressive selection of fasteners. And some of the guys there get it. others, not so much. I usually have a guide. A nut that needs a bolt or a bolt that needs a nut !!

I've two Whitworth "spanners". Only used once or twice !! The bolts on the drive shaft!!!

Many decades ago, I swapped in a used transaxle in a 56 VW beetle. All metric . I had no metric tools at all !! Some SAE "close". those plus Crescent and Vice got it in !!!

Carl
 
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Old 05-07-2019, 10:50 AM
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Water pump pliers ??? Monkey wrenches !!! And plain old pliers !!!.
 
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Old 05-07-2019, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Doug
Yup! With UNF being most prevalent throughout the car.

Some of the brake hydraulics are metric.

The only truly oddball size/thread I've comes across is the firewall "+" junction posts. And, I'll wager those were supplied by Lucas, as you mention.

Cheers
DD
When I had my Series 3 the workshop manual brakes section contained a specific warning about metric fittings. At this time there was a transition in progress in the brake manufacturers from Imperial to Metric sizes On some of the connection fittings, a metric nut would "fit" but really didn't and with the pressures involved when brakes are applied, it could burst off leaving one with no brakes. A mark was applied to metric fittings for a while so one could tell them apart from imperial, but I can't remember what it was, it's too long ago, (late 80a)
 
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Old 05-07-2019, 05:15 PM
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Default albany fasteners

Adding
Albany fasteners as a recommended supplier

Since I like oddball vehicles I rely heavily on using good thread checkers so I know exactly what I am looking for

Nut checker example Nut checker example

Bolt checker example Bolt checker example

Finding good comprehensive nut and bolt checkers is half the battle so you can subsequently order what you need online and know they will fit when they arrive...


Originally Posted by yachtmanbuttson
 
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Old 05-07-2019, 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Grant Francis
Not much help from way down here, as BSF, BSW are still found without too much stress.

I remember my Dad had a chart similar to this hanging in the shed when I was a lad, and he had a MK4 Jaguar, then a proper S Type, and he was a Boat Builder.

This made me laugh out loud! Excellent!!
 
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Old 05-08-2019, 04:38 AM
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Those "devices" must have taken some skill and imagination to manufacture. I want one!
 
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Old 05-08-2019, 12:59 PM
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The only whitworth I found on my '77 XJ12L were The battery cable nuts and bolts at the battery, and on the two positive battery stud (nuts) on the fire wall that join the right side power to the left side.
 
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Old 09-30-2022, 01:26 AM
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Jaguar made the changeover from British BSF/Whitworth to SAE NF/NC with the introduction of the MK7.
They had the American market firmly in their sights and were very aware of complaints about tooling. The old MK5 was a pain to work on if you didn't have BSF/Whitworth spanners etc.
I am not sure if or when that also applied to the XK120.
I recently had to buy a set of metric pipe spanners to change the flexible brake hoses in my S3XJ6
Dammed nuisance!
 
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Old 10-20-2023, 09:54 AM
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The thread is old, but wanted to share - yes, I found this yesterday, a collection of 800 pieces of nuts, bolts, washers, for $70 USD. Link here: Limora
 
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Old 10-21-2023, 02:08 AM
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I order from these guys. Really helpful and terrific service. Highly recommended.
https://www.wrightsautosupplies.co.uk/

 
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Old 10-21-2023, 05:13 AM
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I also find what I need at ACE Hardware, they have a great selection of fasteners including brass and stainless steel.
 
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