Thread: Billet Specialties Alt. mount broke! WHAT kind of bolts are these???

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....if my '32 breaks one more time I'm going to SCREAM! Had to get towed home AGAIN tonight! I stopped for gas, filled up, looked down at my engine and the Alternator was turned SIDEWAYS!. Upon inspection I saw that the alternator had a big chunk torn out of it {the bottom of the alternator is part of the alternator mount}. Also the top of the alternator mount was broken off. So basically both alternator mounting spots were broken off. Anyway, I was going to just 'chuck' the whole Billet Specialties set up since I have an new aluminum Weiand water pump & a new 140 amp alternator. This whole Billet Specialties set up cost $1800 dollars new & I don't really want to buy replacement parts for it as I never wanted it in the first place.....BUT it's held on by these strange looking bolts! They have like 10, 12 or so little tits sticking up. What are they???? And what do you use to take them off??? Thanks a bunch, Bill

Sounds like you might have 12 point bolts if they look something like this picture. You need a proper sized socket that has 12 points rather than 6, if you've got quality sockets they likely are 12 points.

..... Thanks Bob & Denny, whoops, I guess I just got busted for having cheap sockets!!! Yep, I just got back from the Billet Specialties web site & they are 12 point stainless steel fasteners. I'll go down tomorrow & get some better sockets. Glad I found out they were Stainless Steel as I was just about ready to grab my torch & cut 'em off! Do you think Billet Specialties would warrantee this???

If it's their bracket that failed,they probably should make good on it. From your description,it sounds like the alternator case failed,which is generally due to vibration,or way too much belt tension. Hank

Sounds to me like an ear on the alternator broke and took the rest with it.

BTW, 6-point sockets aren't necessarily cheap stuff. They get a better grip on hex bolts than a 12-point. I always use 6-point when I can.

Of course you're correct Jack. When I punched that out in a hurry last night I envisioned the cheapie, import sets my FIL bought, you know, the "114 piece set for only $12.99" stuff. For the little he used tools they were probably okay. I'm sure the Taiwan folks do six point in these because of lower tooling cost more than any other reason.

I have some six points, mostly very old, thick wall, that are good quality, just don't seem to be as common now, but then I haven't shopped sockets in years.

Well, being the tool truck junkie that I am, I have a rack full of both 6 and 12 point sockets....In 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and even a set of 12 point 3/4" drive left over from the farming days!!!! Too many tools is like too much horsepower, can't ever imagine it happening to me!!!!

Like Dave, I also have 6 and 12 point sockets and wrenches from 1/8" to 3" in all different drives from 1/4 to 1" and even a couple of 1 1/2" drives. Nearly all of them are 30+ years old. The 6 point stuff shows a lot of use, while the 12 point stuff is almost like new. Some of the Proto stuff is 50 years old and is still used nearly every day. Point is, if you are buying first sets of sockets and wrenches, buy 6 point. As the need arises, buy 12 point stuff.

Sockets??? Who needs them? If you can't fix it with a Cresent wrench and vice grips it ain't worth fixing.


Don

nope, 3/16" to 2"8 point. got any double d's?

Must be a better mechanic than I am. I have to have a 5lb hammer and a 16" screwdriver to.

Well , you have got me there, I only have a partial set of 4 points. use them for tap drivers. I'll match you with a full set of 6 and 12 point flex sockets from 1/8 to 1 1/2

I bet most of you are like me and have one drawer filled with wrenches you have bent, ground, welded on, and otherwise butchered up to fix one particular job. I usually keep a couple of drawers of extras that I save so that I can modify them whenever I need one to go into some inaccessible spot. I also have sockets that I've welded onto pieces of steel, just to get me out of some jam that I was in.

Don

Originally Posted by DennyW

I do. And a full set of 4 points too....

i have not any points i getting rounder by the day yes i have them 8 to denny for block plugs

i have some nice one to.... made some for diffrent jobs. heat weld but thats what them cheaper tool s are good for but not to cheap if you want it to last or something you can weld that not made out of lead /zinc