The 'E' Type Forum

Hello all, I have recently acquired a US import e-type 1969 2+2 LHD Automatic. I am planning on doing some work on it but I'm not sure which tools size I need ie,....Imperial, AF, Metric, BSW etc,

any advice would be greatly appreciated

:D

I have never worked on the 12 cylinder cars, but on the 6 cylinder ones the threads of bolts going into steel are almost all UNF, for which AF spanners are needed . The studs going into alloy ( e.g. inlet manifold ) are UNC at the alloy end , with UNF nuts on the outer ends . There are a very small number of Whitworth sizes - the camshaft chain adjuster locknut on the 6 cylinder cars being one - and many of the small threads on the body e.g. armrest screws are BA

Hi,

There have been a few posts on tools; basically what Christopher says is correct, you need AF tools, with a few odd Whitworths and the like. However, some of the upgrades people fit, or that you might fit in future, do use metric size bolts, especially if they are using parts from other cars for the upgrade. An example would be a conversion to 5-speed using a Toyota or Getrag gearbox.

A good option with tools is to buy "Surface" or "Flank" drive spanners or sockets. These have the main advantage of working on the flats rather than the points of the bolts, but also have the advantage that, due to the design, they fit a wider fange of fasteners - for an explanation, go here:

http://www.metrinch-tools.com/website/i ... anguage=gb

Other brands exist. A disadvantage of this type is that they can be slightly bulkier and difficult to get into some spaces, but this is more than overcome by the fact they will undo many fasteners which are damaged and/or rusty, by virtue of working on the flats, rather than the more easily damaged corners of the fastener

Another thing to be aware of is that most screws on the car are actually Posidrive, rather than Philips screws; using a philips screwdriver on a posidrive screw can damage it, especially if it is tight or rusted.

Regards,

Simon