1981 350LC Fasteners

[Nicky]

I spoke with Norbo to ask where best to get replacement fasteners and he pointed me to the shop, which I can see does have a good selection. Do I assume right that any orginal (screw) fasteners will not be Philips but JIS heads? Also, are the thread sizes/taps the same, whether JIS or metric? I think you know where I'm going on this - do I bite the bullet and replace all fasteners with JIS or go metric? I am not at all bothered that metric will detract from the providence of the machine, (given it's middle name is 'cross-breed hybrid' anyway) but I don't want to screw up the taps driving in metric bolts/screws?

Thanks all

[expat]

The threads are the same. The JIS heads have a slightly different angle so driver engagement is compromised if you use a regular phillips head. This is only an issue on the really stubborn screws that don't want to budge!! If they are tight, use an impact driver before you start to round them off!!

[shaunthe2nd]

Correct, all the threads are standard metric. its the screw heads that are JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards).
From my experience its worth investing in a set of JIS screwdrivers rather than relying on Philips or similar. They fit the screw heads much better.
Some people convert the engine screws to allen type, which are much easier to get out, but not original, so that may be a better option if you not going 100% original.

[earthman]

Personally I'd go with the Allen heads on the cases even if ever other fixing were JIS.

The original toolkit screwdriver, anyone know if that were actually a JIS one?

[125lc1dt]

A little trick I used to get the original JIS head bolts free if seized in the engine casing. Using a JIS bit in the selected bolt head with a spanner attached, then using a battery hammer tool on the end of the bit, even the hardest of fixings will free if easily