nuts sizes

[coops]

Very simple question: about to update my toolkit so I can replace the head gasket of my 1.6L G-reg Maestro - but does the engine contain metric or imperial nuts?

Elementary question, but better than falling at the first hurdle!

--Coops.

[Maria]

All metric. Get 10, 13, 15 and 17 sockets and spanners and you'll find you can dismantle most of a Maestro.

[H48HPE]

Is the maestro as a whole not a combination of Metric and UNF? (UNF being imperial) whilst you could get away with the spanners Maria has mentioned, nothing beats a good set of spanners in metric and imperial sizes, although I've got a fetish for tools so I'm probably going a bit OTT. You can often pick up a decent set of imperial spanners second hand. Try ebay?

At the very least got the spanners maria has mentioned and also invest in a Bahco adjustable spanner. I don't like using adjustables but for some jobs they come in useful, especially to keep in the car for emergency use. Avoid adjustables because as your using them they run out of adjustment and a spanner that doesn't fit tightly on the flats of the bolt will round the corners off and make a mess. I suggest Bahco because they are one of the best manufacturers of adjustables (I think they claimed to have invented them) although they can be expensive, I think about £15 a piece (but it is a tool for life)

PS. the sump plug on a 1.3 (maybe others?) is a 19mm so get one of those too.

Andy

[tony]

dont forget a big hammer too:)

[Rich]

Is the maestro as a whole not a combination of Metric and UNF? (UNF being imperial)

PS. the sump plug on a 1.3 (maybe others?) is a 19mm so get one of those too.

Andy

Andy, your 1.3 will be a mix match of Metric and UNF (Unified Fine Thread)/UNC (Unified Corse Thread). The A series engine was first designed and built with these thread types before Metric came in. The "original" parts of the engine, i.e cylinder head, thermostat bolts, internal threads etc will be Imperial.

The "newer" parts will be Metric, such as the alternator bolts, the sump plug and the exhaust front pipe to manifold connection studs. The remainder of the car will be all Metric as the cars were designed in the Metric thread era.

The Diesel engine for example, being designed in the Metric age has all Metric fixings (so I have discovered so far anyway) so I am sure I could say the same for S and O series engines?

Rich

[Simon]

also invest in a Bahco adjustable spanner. I don't like using adjustables but for some jobs they come in useful, especially to keep in the car for emergency use. Avoid adjustables because as your using them they run out of adjustment and a spanner that doesn't fit tightly on the flats of the bolt will round the corners off and make a mess. I suggest Bahco because they are one of the best manufacturers of adjustables (I think they claimed to have invented them) although they can be expensive, I think about £15 a piece (but it is a tool for life)Andy

Agree strongly as you'll see if you compare a Bahco to any other adjustable spanner. Is the sump nut not 18mm though, in other words it's a weirdo size?? Why not invest in a set of Metrinch sockets and spanners - thse wall drive tools can drive either metric or imperial fasteners and are of good quality.
www.metrinch-tools.com/