marking bolts

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smitzer

Founding Member

Sep 23, 2000

100

0

16

Colorado Springs, CO

Oct 13, 2005

#1

• Oct 13, 2005

• #1

what do you guys use(if you use anything) to mark bolts/nuts to see if they are backing out?

I worked with some a&p mechanics and they had paint pens to make a mark and be sure things are not backing out. I can't seem to find them at any parts shops around here so I was wondering if anyone knows where to find them.

Had one suggestion to use white out, but I wasn't sure how strong that would stand up to temps and other engine area problems.

thanks for your help,
smitzer

 

6

66Runt

Member

Jun 11, 2005

680

2

18

Oct 13, 2005

#2

• Oct 13, 2005

• #2

Did you try a craft shop?

If you can't come up with the paint pen, you can always get the "touch up" paint for a white, red or whatever color you want car. Comes with a little brush that you can use to dab on the paint. Also a drop or two of blue locktite will dry up to a little blob that does the same thing.

 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member

Sep 9, 2000

4,675

38

119

Antelope Valley, SoCal

Oct 14, 2005

#3

• Oct 14, 2005

• #3

You can get paint pens from hobby and model supplies, probably under the Testors brand. In highschool and even now I call them "tag pens"(people used thm to tag in the restrooms).

 

1320stang

Founding Member

Nov 13, 1998

4,329

23

89

Edmond, Oklahoma

Oct 14, 2005

#4

• Oct 14, 2005

• #4

Where are you worried about bolts backing out?

You do know that you can safety wire them if you're that concerned about it.

 

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steve wilson

New Member

Aug 29, 2005

16

0

2

Oct 14, 2005

#5

• Oct 14, 2005

• #5

On my formula ford I use finger nail polish to mark fasteners, passion pink! Granted it may not work on headers, but I wire them. It even works on my brake calipers, but they don't get as hot as a production cars would.

 

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smitzer

Founding Member

Sep 23, 2000

100

0

16

Colorado Springs, CO

Oct 15, 2005

#6

• Oct 15, 2005

• #6

great thanks for the suggestions I will check them out.

I was just doing a gauge swap on my jeep and thinking that I would like to mark the oil pressure sender I installed to be sure it isn't backing out(of course I would drastically know if it came out!). I had to use a large wrench to install it and got pretty paranoid about over torqueing it, so I wanted to mark it to be sure that I didn't under tighten it and have it back out.

thanks for the help,
smitzer

 

1320stang

Founding Member

Nov 13, 1998

4,329

23

89

Edmond, Oklahoma

Oct 16, 2005

#7

• Oct 16, 2005

• #7

Well, that's a different story, but the sender will have tapered threads as those are pipe threads. I don't think I've ever seen anything put in with pipe threads that have back out before, even with tape or pipe dope.

 

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smitzer

Founding Member

Sep 23, 2000

100

0

16

Colorado Springs, CO

Oct 16, 2005

#8

• Oct 16, 2005

• #8

yeah, I hope it doesn't back out! that is just my paranoia though.
This brings up a question I have had about pipe threads and tape/dope.

do you "always" use tape/dope on pipe threads? I ask because(also on the jeep) the line that runs into the radiator from the transmission, for cooling, isn't exactly dripping fluid but is wet when touched, so I guess it is a very slow leak/seep. Would you use tape/dope on this fitting?

Just wondering about any of it getting mixed into the fluid and the effects it might have.

smitzer

 

1320stang

Founding Member

Nov 13, 1998

4,329

23

89

Edmond, Oklahoma

Oct 16, 2005

#9

• Oct 16, 2005

• #9

Those would be flare fittings which have yet a different thread than pipe threads or, I believe, bolt threads. The threads aren't used to seal from fluid, as a matter of fact, they shouldn't see any fluid. The flare nut presses the flared end of the tube against the seat inside the radiator. Sounds like you might have a problem with the flare, the seat, or the end of the flare nut where it hits the flare.

I wouldn't use tape/dope on flare or compression fitting or on any transmission applications.

On pipe threads, I always use tape or dope. Usually the metals are dissimilar so this is the big reason I do this.

 

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smitzer

Founding Member

Sep 23, 2000

100

0

16

Colorado Springs, CO

Oct 16, 2005

#10

• Oct 16, 2005

• #10

that makes sense thanks for the help.

I will go and check the flare, nut and seat and see if something is keeping it from going flush, or hopefully not cracked or gouged.

I am glad for your answers, I have been told a couple of times to throw some tape on it but that didn't seem right to me so I have still been asking around.

thanks 1320stang

 

thehueypilot

Active Member

Feb 25, 2004

1,084

0

37

Medina,Tennessee

Oct 16, 2005

#11

• Oct 16, 2005

• #11

I used to four wheel a lot and still have my FJ40 and I had things fall off or loosen during hard runs until I started using a thread locker called "Afterlock Loctite 271". It's geen in color and one drop will hold a nut and bolt very well without the use of any mechanical locking devices. It also alows easy disassembly when needed. I use it in a lot of different places on my Mustang.