American Sizes for bolts / nuts

[cmyers_uk]

I have a Volvo Penta 4.3GL, all the nuts and bolts dont seem to be metric. Does anybody have a good chart that shows me what size wrench or socket I need if I measure the width of a nut and get the answer in decimal inches. e.g Im a bit thick and want to know the number equivelant of 3/8 or 5/8<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Chris

 

[xp150]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Well there is a chart you can get. They will give you one if you have a place in you area that sells machine shop supplies but if all you need is decimal number for a fraction. <br />take the top number and devide it by the bottom nimber.<br />Example: (3/8) 3 divided by 8 = .375

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Or buy yourself a SAE set of sockets and wrenches and you will learn fast what is what. Sounds like you will need to do this anyway. Much faster than measuring each size bolt...

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Every "1/8th" is .125", Every "1/16th" is .0625, so 1/8 is .125", 1/4 (2/8) is .250", etc.....<br /><br />The common sizes you'll see there are:<br /><br />3/8" = .375"<br />7/16" = .4375"<br />1/2" = .500"<br />9/16" = .5625"<br />5/8" = .625"<br />11/16" = .6875"

 

[Boomyal]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Originally posted by Chris Myers:<br /> I have a Volvo Penta 4.3GL, all the nuts and bolts dont seem to be metric. <br />

Hey Chris, maybe they're Whitworth!

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Thank guys. The reason I measure them is I am buying snap-on tools and when they are that price I only want the ones I use. <br /><br />Thanks guys Ive got the maths to work it out.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Chris

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Cris, unfortunetly here, we have an equal mix of metric and imperial cars. My tool board is double the size it should be. Many of the common sizes will interchange, especially with good quality tools that grab the 'flat' and not the 'point' of nuts & bolts (or single hex).<br /><br />None of the sizes interchange exactly, these are the ones that are acceptable:<br /><br />AF <br />(IMPERIAL) = METRIC<br /><br />5/16 = 8mm<br />7/16 = 11mm<br />1/2 = 13mm<br />9/16 = 14mm<br />11/16 = 17mm<br />3/4 = 19mm<br />7/8 = 22mm <br /><br />IMO buying a proper set would be the ideal solution.<br /> <br />If you have whitworth...run.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Dunaruna,<br /><br />Thank you that is really useful. The only imperial nuts Ive ever come up against is on my boat. What I have decided to do is buy a cheaper AF set and then just buy snap-on replacements for the ones I use often. <br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Chris

 

[Capt. T]

Re: American Sizes for bolts / nuts

Boomyal,<br /><br />Whitworth... nah, then the electricals would have to be Lucas and the boat would have exploded alread or more likely never started. - proud '56 MGA owner