Thanks Alistair--I had thought about just cutting it but I didn't know what
it would do to the bottom of the threads.  Not that I know if I have an M8
1.25 nut but I can get that when I go out today to try a actual hardware
store (last night I just went to the two home improvment stores that are
right next to each other and it was too late to go anywhere else) and see
if I can get an exact match.  If not, I'll go with the hacksaw method.

I hope this list is still running when the zombie apocalypse comes.

mike

On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 12:22 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> 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
>
>