Please help me avoid using hardware store bolts when I put the car back together
 

Is there a cost-effective way to end up with the right bolts to reassemble the trim in bumpers on a midyear? My car lead a neglected life before I ended up with it and it is a mix of random bolts, washers, and nuts.

Thanks!

WTB on Classifieds.

Hi Shaun - does someone/vendor sell a hardware kit?

Hi Tom,

I use Belmetric for all new lock, wave and Schnorr washers for customer's orders. Flat as needed. Same with Nylocks and the ovaled type self locking nuts, standard as needed.

For bolts, I recommend listing exactly what you need with specs from PET on a WTB post. I don't sell too much hardware anymore but some things I have a lot of so send me a list and I'll see what I can do.

Yeah, that's the bummer of restoring a car in the US. Can't locally find good metric hardware. Home Depot is garbage for this. Lowes is a little better and even ACE is hit or miss. When I find yellow zinc grade 8 nylock nuts or metric flat washers I just buy a bunch of them. Sometimes Autozone carries yellow hardware in metric, but it's small quantities and very expensive.

You need to visit the industrial fastener suppliers. Here in Oregon, I have good luck with Fastenal, Tacoma Screw, Industrial Fasteners. Besides Belmetric, McMaster Carr (www.mcmaster,com) are good sources.

I went to Tacoma Screw looking for zinc hardware, and they did not have any.

tdskip,

A couple of suggestions...

1) Go to the PET for your year model. The exploded diagrams have a number that cross-references to the part number. Usually in the description it says the bolt size.

2) I bought a kit from Eagle Day a few years ago when I pulled my motor to do some work. It has an assortment of every kind of nut, bolt and washer you’ll find on the 911. They are yellow zinc plated. I have never regretted it. It has saved me about a zillion times. Cost was around $200.

tdskip, get the PET numbers as said previously and call the nearest Porsche Parts dept and they can look for their availability and order as needed.

I did this when I removed my interior to redye the leather and I wanted to replace a lot of the hardware bits. They ordered and I received almost everything that I was looking for. No shipping charges and the screws, washers etc were correct and cheap. Also most of them were received in a couple of days.

All good suggestions. Some points to consider.

Belmetric, to the best of my knowledge carries mostly German made hardware. Eagle Day may too as they are a quality operation. Everyone else, not so much. Belmetric does have a good selection of bolts as well.

Porsche dealer is a good resource for bolts. Note that most new bolts won't have any head markings like Kamax, Graeka, etc. Dan, can you confirm that? That's been experience with 928 hardware.

If any kind of originality is important whether you have a 73 S and need a Dera and not a Dorn head marked bolt or an 87 driver, original used hardware, if in good condition, is always preferred.

I would follow what Tirwin says and get an assortment of yellow zinc from a vendor like Belmetric. Its just too hard to find on the shelf.

For your interior you cannot go wrong with this kit:
Interior Screw Set For Porsche Automobiles

I just tried getting some bolts/ washers from Pdealer and wasn't happy. Their computer is incorrect for part's and what is needed for mid 70's cars ( pan head vs. hex head bolts as an example) .Even with Porsche part # they looked like they were made in China. Also very expensive.

Any european webistes for buying?

hardware
 

Look for a Wurth USA in your area, or look at Maryland Metric as well.
Mike Bruns

Belmetric is a good source for the often hard to find metric sheetmetal screws. For instance the screws that hold the upper portion of the side rocker panels onto the body

https://www.belmetric.com/42mm-c-10_103_106/msmb42x13-black-sheet-metal-screw-p-595.html

Like the guys said, take a look at the PET diagrams. When you find the right diagram you will see the exact size of the fasteners you need

I do find it odd that Porsche parts suppliers don't offer kits for projects like vendors for other makes are apt to do. You would think there would be a market for that sort of thing. If you want to restore an old Land Cruiser, Triumph, or Mustang you can buy every correct nut and bolt but for Porsche... go fish.

I hope I am wrong and some vendor is doing this for Porsche's as well.

some more sources in a thread I posted a while back:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/901978-sources-hardware-kits.html

Brian, someone tried this a few years ago. He found there was both no money in it and the vast majority of people restoring their early 911 want the correct head marking. It's also fairly rare that someone needs bolts for their 911. Most cars have been reasonably cared for over the years and all original hardware is intact.

Belmetric is a good source too. I have bought from them. I don’t know if they have a 911-specific assortment. The Eagle Day stuff is a convenient package.

There is a place locally called Threads for the South. Amazing place. They have everything. That place has never let me down. I consider myself lucky to have a place like that nearby. I just went there the other day and bought new studs for the timing chain cover. Cost me $2 for more than I’ll ever use. Black zinc coated with allen heads. Perfect!

A little off topic maybe, but I just received a valve cover kit with the nylock nuts.

Guess what? The nuts were silver! Is that our future? No more gold colored hardware?

Ditto. Belmetric! If you just need the 6mm trim and light duty bolts they are a good source for those too.