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Subject:Re: PREPING FOR PAINT JOB ON 87 WESTY
From:Stephen Engel
Date:Sat, 7 Mar 2015 12:47:22 -0800

OK, I'm back. I did a more in-depth search. The bolt size is M6x16, don't know pitch. It looks like Frank Condelli and Go Westy are the only readily available sources. The Go Westy bolts are 20mm long and as Allister says they will interfere with the operation of the hinges, hence the need for trimming their bolts. My google search did turn up a Flikr page for Roger Sisler, who apparently sold stainless replacement hardware sets as well. The link for his eBay store says that the store no longer exists. Anybody know what happened to Roger?

Do you have an Aubuchon Hardware store by you? Before my local Aubuchon in Rutland closed, I would bring my old hardware in and ask for help finding a match. They were glad to help and came through every time except once. Ace Hardware is almost as good. The bolts might be at Home Depot or Lowes, but their staffs are inconsistent and the fastener drawers are always a mess.

Steve

--------------------------------------------
On Sat, 3/7/15, Stephen Engel <sengel543@yahoo.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: PREPING FOR PAINT JOB ON 87 WESTY
 To: "Eric Caron" <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
 Cc: "vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM" <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015, 12:59 PM
 
 Hi Eric, 
 
 I replaced all the exterior
 bolts/screws on my 87 hardtop with Frank Condelli's set.
 His website, www.frankcondelli.com , shows that his pop top
 set is currently out of stock. 
 
 A quick search showed that GoWesty has
 stainless replacements as well, but they suggest trimming
 5mm of thread off their bolts. What?
 
 Other vendors, bus depot, van-cafe, bus-boys,
 Rocky Mountain, etc may offer sets as well. Let me know if I
 can help further, my pizza's ready right now.
 
 Steve
 87
 Syncro GL
 
 Sent from my
 iPhone
 
 On Mar 7, 2015, at 11:37
 AM, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
 wrote:
 
 > Hi folks, 
 > 
 >        Does
 anyone have a source for a replacement kit for stainless
 steel pop top hardware?  I’d love to do this one  piece
 at a time.  I think this is another improvement I have the
 skill level for.  and, a quick check shows my original
 bolts seem happy to turn and come loose.
 > 
 > tips on a complete
 source pop top and other exterior stainless screws and bolts
 is greatly appreciated.
 > 
 > Sending me to the hard ware store with
 samples would be a disaster!
 > 
 > Eric Caron 
 > 85 gL
 Auto Westfalia currently waiting for spring
 > 
 > 
 > 
 > 
 >> On Mar 7, 2015, at 10:44 AM, Harold
 Teer <teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
 wrote:
 >> 
 >>
 Mike,
 >> 
 >> I
 ran into the same problem removing some of my bolts when
 replacing them
 >> with stainless steel
 ones when I removed the luggage top to replace the
 >> footman loops.  After trying to
 loosen them over many days by using
 >>
 penetrating oils, I finally used a Dremel tool and a cutting
 disk.  First,
 >> I cut a deeper slot
 for the screwdriver.  When using my big screwdriver,
 >> part of the screw head broke off so I
 carefully used the Dremel to cut the
 >> rest of the head off.
 >> 
 >> Hopefully,
 others may have a better solution because this one takes
 time
 >> and patience.
 >> 
 >> Harold
 >> 
 >> Harold
 Teer
 >> 1991 Westy -- VANGAUX
 >> Harrisonburg, VA
 >> 
 >> 
 >> On Sat, Mar 7, 2015 at 9:58 AM,
 Michael <mikewelldon@icloud.com>
 wrote:
 >> 
 >>> The bolts I'm referring to are
 the ones on the actual fiberglass top that
 >>> take a flathead screwdriver to get
 out.
 >>> 
 >>> Currently, they are in there so
 tightly that all a screwdriver is doing is
 >>> stripping the head.
 >>> 
 >>> I
 don't have a torch and was wary of using one on the
 top.
 >>> 
 >>> Mike
 >>>
 
 >>> 
 >>>
 
 >>> 
 >>>