Restoration-Mini

Technical Forums => Maintenance and Modifications => Topic started by: Lone Star Mini on November 20, 2020, 07:34:32 PM

Title: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Lone Star Mini on November 20, 2020, 07:34:32 PM
Looking for ways to clean up the engine and hoses.  I love all the braided lines and I recently saw these cylinder head stud "caps" although I don't know what they are called or where they can be purchased.  Do these or variants of them actually exist?   I found these in early Mini World magazines and perhaps they proved to be problematic and are not functionally sound.  Any knowledge out there on these?  Thanks for the help.. 
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: MiniDave on November 20, 2020, 07:44:07 PM
I've never seen those before. Closest I could come to those are the ones they put over wheel nuts, but those are hex shaped.

You might check with Smiffy's Bits, or RetroMini
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: BruceK on November 20, 2020, 07:47:17 PM
Hmmmm. Never seen those before.  I wouldn't think that are anything Mini-specific.  Perhaps they are some chrome dress-up customizing options that are available for lots of cars?   After all, those are just 9/16 nuts (if memory serves) that would also be found on lots of older American and British cars.
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: MiniDave on November 20, 2020, 07:51:52 PM
9/16 wrench size, 3/8-24 nuts.
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Lone Star Mini on November 20, 2020, 08:10:19 PM
Well at least I'm in good company.  going through old Mini World magazines from 1998 and '99, I found several minis with these on them.  I actually like them vs showing threaded rod and nuts.  I've tried searching, but come up empty.  Hmm..  thanks Dave..  I will check with Smiffy's and RetroMini.. heck, I'll ask a few mini friends in the UK if htey remember when...
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: BruceK on November 20, 2020, 08:11:43 PM
Quote from: MiniDave on November 20, 2020, 07:51:52 PM
9/16 wrench size, 3/8-24 nuts.

Ah.  4.gif


Randy, perhaps something like this type of kit was used.

https://www.ebay.com/i/162884025190?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=162884025190&targetid=935694487906&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9027998&poi=&campaignid=10459842465&mkgroupid=104612012100&rlsatarget=aud-412677883135:pla-935694487906&abcId=2146002&merchantid=115319814&gclid=CjwKCAiA7939BRBMEiwA-hX5J3pxQRyZAyBDmQ17dYGzi8tesckhxT27HtxyzqXHNboOm57KYmpstxoCGs8QAvD_BwE 
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: bikewiz on November 21, 2020, 05:10:22 AM
As stated above Smiffy's Bits has a thread on cover. I have them, they're very nicely made and so far, 5+ years, haven't fallen off.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-ROVER-MINI-STAINLESS-HEAD-NUT-COVERS-COVERS-THE-HEAD-NUTS-SIMPLE/183765597144?hash=item2ac9487bd8:g:~8AAAOSw42dZC2ae (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-ROVER-MINI-STAINLESS-HEAD-NUT-COVERS-COVERS-THE-HEAD-NUTS-SIMPLE/183765597144?hash=item2ac9487bd8:g:~8AAAOSw42dZC2ae)
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Lone Star Mini on November 21, 2020, 06:10:17 AM
Quote from: bikewiz on November 21, 2020, 05:10:22 AM
As stated above Smiffy's Bits has a thread on cover. I have them, they're very nicely made and so far, 5+ years, haven't fallen off.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-ROVER-MINI-STAINLESS-HEAD-NUT-COVERS-COVERS-THE-HEAD-NUTS-SIMPLE/183765597144?hash=item2ac9487bd8:g:~8AAAOSw42dZC2ae (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-ROVER-MINI-STAINLESS-HEAD-NUT-COVERS-COVERS-THE-HEAD-NUTS-SIMPLE/183765597144?hash=item2ac9487bd8:g:~8AAAOSw42dZC2ae)

Awesome..  would love to see a picture of yours.   I will check out the link.. thanks
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: bikewiz on November 21, 2020, 07:20:28 AM
Older photo but you get the idea.
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Lone Star Mini on November 21, 2020, 07:51:00 AM
Quote from: bikewiz on November 21, 2020, 07:20:28 AM
Older photo but you get the idea.

Very Nice!!  thanks for sharing.  I'm in touch with Smiffy Bits to see if they will actually ship to the USA.  There have been other items of theirs that I would like to get.
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Willie_B on November 21, 2020, 05:29:23 PM
Quote from: Lone Star Mini on November 21, 2020, 07:51:00 AM
Quote from: bikewiz on November 21, 2020, 07:20:28 AM
Older photo but you get the idea.

Very Nice!!  thanks for sharing.  I'm in touch with Smiffy Bits to see if they will actually ship to the USA.  There have been other items of theirs that I would like to get.

They do ship here as I have bought some items from them in the past. Not as fast as MiniSpares but it gets here.
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Lone Star Mini on November 21, 2020, 07:08:46 PM
Quote from: Willie_B on November 21, 2020, 05:29:23 PM
They do ship here as I have bought some items from them in the past. Not as fast as MiniSpares but it gets here.

Good to know.. thanks Brad. 
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: jeff10049 on November 28, 2020, 05:58:27 PM
Those stud caps look ok, But please don't use fake braided hose kits those are beyond cheesy and look terrible to most car guys it's boy racer high school honda stuff.
Now actual AN braided hose is badass it may be somewhat out of place on most streetcars but acceptable. 

The proper hose clamps on rubber hoses can go a long way to cleaning up the look. Tie then up nicely get the length just right and use nice clamps and it'll look really clean without being cheese ball.


Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Jimini II on December 04, 2020, 12:14:30 PM
Just thinking outside the box aren't Mini chrome wheel nuts the same size?
If so and you have access to a lathe could the chamfered/tapered part be cut off and then use the remainder as a regular nut, it would seem they would last longer than the plastic chrome ones with the heat etc.
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: MiniDave on December 04, 2020, 12:45:42 PM
You are correct, they are the same thread size.....although I haven't found the chrome to last very long on the ones I've bought from Spares. I was thinking about trying a set of stainless ones next
Title: Re: Cylinder Head Stud Caps?
Post by: Jimini II on December 07, 2020, 04:09:52 PM
I found a set of stainless lug nuts I bought years ago for a project and never used them and they still looked brand new which is more than I can say for chrome ones left laying around here in humid Florida.