Billet Specialties Alt. mount broke! WHAT kind of bolts are these???

....if my '32 breaks one more time I'm going to SCREAM! Had to get towed home AGAIN tonight! I stopped for gas, filled up, looked down at my engine and the Alternator was turned SIDEWAYS!. Upon inspection I saw that the alternator had a big chunk torn out of it {the bottom of the alternator is part of the alternator mount}. Also the top of the alternator mount was broken off. So basically both alternator mounting spots were broken off. Anyway, I was going to just 'chuck' the whole Billet Specialties set up since I have an new aluminum Weiand water pump & a new 140 amp alternator. This whole Billet Specialties set up cost $1800 dollars new & I don't really want to buy replacement parts for it as I never wanted it in the first place.....BUT it's held on by these strange looking bolts! They have like 10, 12 or so little tits sticking up. What are they???? And what do you use to take them off??? Thanks a bunch, Bill

Sounds like you might have 12 point bolts if they look something like this picture. You need a proper sized socket that has 12 points rather than 6, if you've got quality sockets they likely are 12 points.

..... Thanks Bob & Denny, whoops, I guess I just got busted for having cheap sockets!!! Yep, I just got back from the Billet Specialties web site & they are 12 point stainless steel fasteners. I'll go down tomorrow & get some better sockets. Glad I found out they were Stainless Steel as I was just about ready to grab my torch & cut 'em off! Do you think Billet Specialties would warrantee this???

If it's their bracket that failed,they probably should make good on it. From your description,it sounds like the alternator case failed,which is generally due to vibration,or way too much belt tension. Hank

Sounds to me like an ear on the alternator broke and took the rest with it.

BTW, 6-point sockets aren't necessarily cheap stuff. They get a better grip on hex bolts than a 12-point. I always use 6-point when I can.

Of course you're correct Jack. When I punched that out in a hurry last night I envisioned the cheapie, import sets my FIL bought, you know, the "114 piece set for only $12.99" stuff. For the little he used tools they were probably okay. I'm sure the Taiwan folks do six point in these because of lower tooling cost more than any other reason.

I have some six points, mostly very old, thick wall, that are good quality, just don't seem to be as common now, but then I haven't shopped sockets in years.

Well, being the tool truck junkie that I am, I have a rack full of both 6 and 12 point sockets....In 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and even a set of 12 point 3/4" drive left over from the farming days!!!! Too many tools is like too much horsepower, can't ever imagine it happening to me!!!!:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Like Dave, I also have 6 and 12 point sockets and wrenches from 1/8" to 3" in all different drives from 1/4 to 1" and even a couple of 1 1/2" drives. Nearly all of them are 30+ years old. The 6 point stuff shows a lot of use, while the 12 point stuff is almost like new. Some of the Proto stuff is 50 years old and is still used nearly every day. Point is, if you are buying first sets of sockets and wrenches, buy 6 point. As the need arises, buy 12 point stuff.:)

Sockets??? Who needs them? If you can't fix it with a Cresent wrench and vice grips it ain't worth fixing. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :LOL: :LOL:


Don

nope, 3/16" to 2"8 point. got any double d's?

Must be a better mechanic than I am. I have to have a 5lb hammer and a 16" screwdriver to.

Well , you have got me there, I only have a partial set of 4 points. use them for tap drivers. I'll match you with a full set of 6 and 12 point flex sockets from 1/8 to 1 1/2

I bet most of you are like me and have one drawer filled with wrenches you have bent, ground, welded on, and otherwise butchered up to fix one particular job. I usually keep a couple of drawers of extras that I save so that I can modify them whenever I need one to go into some inaccessible spot. I also have sockets that I've welded onto pieces of steel, just to get me out of some jam that I was in.

Don

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Originally Posted by DennyW

I do. And a full set of 4 points too.... :LOL: :LOL:

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i have not any points i getting rounder by the day**) yes i have them 8 to denny for block plugs

i have some nice one to.... made some for diffrent jobs. heat weld but thats what them cheaper tool s are good for but not to cheap if you want it to last or something you can weld that not made out of lead /zinc

I have a full set of metric crescent wrenches . . . ;)

My adjustables are both standard and metric LOL.

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Originally Posted by DennyW

:LOL: :LOL: Cool !! :LOL:

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Oh yeah???? That ain't nothin'. I've got a set of metric pliers and a complete set of metric vise grips!!!! I even have a Metric Tip for my welder!!!! So there!!!!!!!:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: My Snap-on man told me they were unique, and I had the only sets!!!!

PS....I've had the same Snap-on man for better then 25 years, when they come out with something new and kewl, he just brings it in, lays it on my tool box, and tells me I need it...Then adds it to my bill!!!!!

i did not want to brag:D but have a metric lathe two mills and my rottler boing bar and valve grinder and two sunnen hones **) **) **)

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Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

i did not want to brag:D but have a metric lathe two mills and my rottler boing bar and valve grinder and two sunnen hones **) **) **)

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no Metric Vise Grips??????

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Originally Posted by Dave Severson

no Metric Vise Grips??????

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well yes .yes i do... hand full of them and gear pullers a 10ton press EZ out set . have a tool thats very hard to find ? made in usa pipe wrench and HD pipe cutter .pick this stuff up from a guy that was a plumber in canda**) **)

.....Ok, I went over to Ace Hardware & got a set of metric 12 pt. sockets & then took off my 'Billet Aluminum Bridge Bracket' that is suppose to be "machined from billet aluminum". But I'd swear it's cast aluminum, sure looks like it to me. The bracket measures 1/2" thick but looks as if it's made with a 3/8" piece of cast aluminum with a 1/8" aluminum plate somehow bonded to it. I'm going to call them tomorrow & see if they'll warantee it. If not, I'll just make a piece out of 1/2" mild steel plate using the aluminum one for a pattern. It'll be stronger & cheaper. I also have an alternator that'll work to replace the one that broke. I just can't get the pulley off!!! Thanks to all, Bill

Going back to the original post....regarding stainless steel fasteners. If the fasteners were a heat treated stainless POSSIBLY they would be ok. But generally SS fasteners are plain 304 SS which is very soft. These tend to gall very easy unless you use plenty of never-seize. Even then you can have problems. They may look pretty but when you have to drill out seized and broken ones you will be double :mad: :mad:

Even in the machine building trade we don't use them unless absolutely necessary. Heat treated ones are expensive and still not as good as plain grade 8.

I get gr 8 at Tractor supply by the pound. While these are off shore they still are pretty good for the price. For critical fasteners I get certified ones and pay a bit more.

Here is a good place to get fasteners. Generally only a couple days at the worst.
http://www.mcmaster.com/

.....Yep there is NO way this part is 'billet' it's CAST! Have you ever heard of an $1800 dollar cast aluminum part???? ;) But the good news is I just have to mail the alternator & bracket back to Powermaster & they'll send me a new set up. BUT two days in the mail to ship it back plus a day turn around & two days back to me means 5 days of a rental car! So I'm headed down to get a 1/2" mild steel plate to make my own bracket! I never wanted this set up in the first place....

So may be I should use regular bolts instead of the stainless steel ones??? I could care less about how the bolts look..... Thanks, Bill

Billet specialties is a good company name for selling cast parts:eek: ......................kinda misleading.
No," we are billet specialties",you bought a cast billet specialties bracket ,we never said the bracket was billet ,thats our name billet ,.................now, whos on first.....?What? ........No ,what is in customer service,.........HUH,......no huh is the technical department................Ok,..............no, ok is the sales rep,..........."whatever"................ no, whatever works in claims.
{Man replies}"Whatever ",I am done with this company,........whatever replies ,now my job is complete.:LOL: :CRY:

Here is the Billet Specialties web page:
"Small Block Chevy Serpentine with A/C

The most complete serpentine systems on the market! Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine systems are engineered to bolt right on and align perfectly without the need for stabilizer brackets or adjuster bars.CNC machined and polished to a mirror finish, the Tru Trac not only looks awesome - it performs! Tru Trac serpentine systems increase the efficiency of the alternator and compressor by eliminating belt slippage

Quality is abundant in every aspect of each Tru Trac serpentine system. Every bracket and pulley is machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum for exceptional strength and rigidity. Each polsihed stainless steel fastener features a 12-point head for optimum contact and an aggressive finished look. Select pulleys are hardcoat anodized for increased durability, preventing wear from the backside of the serpentine belt. The exclusive patent-pending billet tensioner eliminates the need for constant re-adjustment.


Tru Trac Serpentine Systems Include:
• Polished Powermaster 105 amp 1-wire alternator
• Polished billet aluminum 1pc. alternator fan & pulley
• Natural finish Edelbrock reverse rotation water pump
• Polished billet aluminum water pump pulley
• Polished billet aluminum bridge bracket
• Patent-pending polished billet aluminum tensioner engineered specifically for each Tru Trac serpentine system
• Polished billet aluminum tensioner pulley
• Polished billet aluminum crankshaft pulley
• Polished ARP 12-point stainless steel fasteners
• Goodyear Gatorback 6-rib serpentine belt
• Comprehensive installation manual"

Note that it uses "CNC" machined and "billet" quite a bit. IF you see casting stuff like part numbers that are sand cast in the metal, rough places in the back of the brackets, etc. ....then it is cast and NOT billet!! If it is cast, you should be able to get money back.... they advertised it wrong. The alternator case IS cast, of course....it is a die casting (not a sand casting).

Also, use grade 8 bolts...the ARP stainless bolts are good but, unlesss you know what grade these specific bolts are, you are asking for trouble!!!

mike in tucson

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Originally Posted by DennyW

Sounds like false advertising to me. It's probably China cast aluminum. :LOL: :LOL: Hope not, I have seen the pricing on those setups !! :(

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is any one sure it is alum??? china alum is pot metal ?? less they tell you :whacked:

.... Update; the stainless bolts are made by ARP & I was told that they are high quality. So I'm just going to keep them. But, I made a new bracket out of 1/2" mild steel & it fits great. Think I'll just keep this one on even when I get the new one back from Billet Specialties. If the aluminum one broke once it can break twice & I don't want to have to deal with it again! Although I will use the new Powermaster alternator that they are sending. It has the Battery post on the top & it fits better {I had to take off my Edelbrock finned covers & put on a cheapo chrome one to get the bolt to clear}...... thanks all, Bill