Mike,

can't you cut down a bolt to fit? Run a nut on the bolt then cut to length with hacksaw, file or sand (rotate end at an angle against belt sander or the like) then run the nut back off to straighten out any deformed threads.

alistair

On 2012-12-12, at 9:36 PM, Mike South wrote:

> I found an M8 x 1.25 bolt that threads into the radiator bleed hole fine,
> but nothing as short as the original.  I'll try another hardware store
> tomorrow, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what's under the threads in the
> radiator--can you just keep screwing a bolt down or will you break
> something?
> 
> I know Alistair has cut or been there for the cutting apart of at least one
> radiator (see
> http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/vanagon-radiator-replacement/ ),
> just curious if anyone knows.
> 
> I had my radiator replaced at a shop, don't know what they used.  Here are
> some pics from the bottom and top:
> 
> http://imgur.com/FxIsy,eE8qo#0
> http://imgur.com/FxIsy,eE8qo#1
> 
> (In one you can see the point where the bolt started getting hard to turn
> and it thought it would be better to stop and ask.)
> 
> mike