Lost Bolt from Top

[bwiddowson]

I have apparently lost what will likely be a nearly impossible bolt to replace. It is one of the black Allen head hinge bolts that secures the inside arch supports for the top. I have found the 2 little washers but the bolt has totally disappeared. Anyone know where I can find another one? It is about 12mm tall with a 5mm threaded section, but the shank about the threaded section is wider. I can provide a photo via email.

Any help will be appreciated.

[Nickydee]

Are these what you are looking for

HOOD FRAME PIVOT BOLT (Long) A100B6220S

HOOD FRAME PIVOT BOLT (Short) A100B6222S

Available from SJS at a nearly £8 plus VAT each!. I t would be worth searching on the forum as I remember reading about a cheaper alternative somebody had found.

[rip]

Available from SJS at a nearly £8 plus VAT each!.

Bargain

[bwiddowson]

I am certain that it is the right part, but can not be certain without seeing it. I guess to gamble I should drop $30 and order a long and a short one plus shipping to US. Ugh!

Not a good part to lose!!

Thanks for the help

[tigerdog]

Any chance of carefully removing the other and taking it to a local bolt/nut/screw supplier? I've had amazing luck with metric bolts at a local industrial hardware place. I've also been able to source odd things from BelMetric. If I remember, they're in Boston or thereabouts. Your profile doesn't say where you're located but maybe that's close? Or maybe not, based on the palms in the background.

[bwiddowson]

Right. I have already removed another one and taken it around to all of the local nuts and bolt shops - no dice. This is a weird one. 6mm thread, but it has a wider shoulder. It is indeed called a "hood frame pivot bolt", and is proving impossible to find. Beware - this is not a good bolt to lose. If I could figure out how to insert a photo in the text box I would. It is one of the bolts that secure the arch-shaped roof supports that swivel.

I am at the other end of the state from you in Redding Give me shout if you are ever up this way. We got some nice windy roads up here.

Cheers,

Bud

[tigerdog]

Inserting pictures is easy. Click "reply" then look below the text box. You'll see a blue tab "Upload attachment". Click "choose file" and browse, then click "add the file". Once upladed, add an optional comment and click "Place inline". I'll take a look at my car and see if I can understand what the bolt looks like. Redding is quite nice - I'm jealous of your roads and your relatively light traffic on them.

[bwiddowson]

You are right. Uploading a jpeg is easy - if it worked.

When sitting in the car with the top up, you have the ribs, or frame arches that swivel just above your head. These are attached to the frame with black, countersunk, Allen head bolts. When/if I find a replacement I will dab on some locktite at the threads to keep it in. I don't know how it fell out in the first. More of a mystery is how it apparently vaporized into thin air.

The weather up here is perfect right now and I'd like to take her out but I can't pout up the top until I fix it.

top bolt medium.jpg

[tigerdog]

Now that is a strange little beast. How about buying an approximately correct bolt that matches the shoulder, then turning it down and threading the bit that's needed? I'll see if I can find something, too.

Or maybe ask the guys at Knox Motor Sports (they bought Steve's crashed red one and are parting it out). Mayhap they'll part out the top.

McMaster Carr gets close with this shoulder screw. The flathead/countersunk shoulder screw is more difficult to find. Maybe this would do in a pinch.

[bwiddowson]

I am approaching from another angle. I bought a 6mm bolt and have slipped a nylon sleeve over the part where the shoulder is. But it is still not perfect, and not stock. Unfortunately jerry-rigging bits like this never sits well with me. I will sit at every stop sign and red light looking up at that faux bolt sitting there.

Your suggestion of finding an M100 that has been totaled is the way to go. I will try your link. Thanks a million.

Bud

[Kuching]

I have a spare one. Let me know your address and (assuming you're happy to cover the postage cost) I'll pop it in the post.

Simon

[bwiddowson]

Simon - You are a STAR!! If you have PayPal I can send you a few bucks or I can post it to you.
I just got back from the UK so I have some pounds.

Thanks a Million.

Bud...

Bud Widdowson
PO Box 842
Shasta Lake, California
96019-0842
USA

[bwiddowson]

tigerdog - FYI - Knox Motor Sports had sold the entire convertible top from the salvaged Elan - frame and all. So that was a dead end.

It looks like Kuching may come to my aid with a spare. What an ACE!!

Cheers,

Bud

[tigerdog]

Cheers for Simon. That spirit is the reason we all love LEC (and frankly, why I settled on an Elan when searching for my toy car)

BTW, the Elan in your profile picture sure looks a lot different than the rest of 'em.

[tigerdog]

Cheers for Simon. That spirit is the reason we all love LEC (and frankly, why I settled on an Elan when searching for my toy car)

BTW, the Elan in your profile picture sure looks a lot different than the rest of 'em.

[bwiddowson]

To be sure. LEC has saved me on more than one occasion. Simon is a super star. Apparently the bolt is in the mail, so I am back on the road in no time.

My '73 Europa TC is definitely my Mr. Hyde that I can't part with. The complete antithesis of the M100. As much fun to drive, but pushes different buttons.