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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - ARP nuts

Hi, got around to unwrapping the stud kit I received the other day and started to fit it, when I got around to putting the nuts on I realised that they arent a standard nut. A standard 12mm socket fits the main head nuts but I cant find a socket to fit the rocker nuts, A bit of digging on the net says they are 12 point aircraft style nuts. A quick look on Ebay for '12 point socket' brought up a good list but are these the relevant sockets? and what sizes are needed.
Thanks
Mark
Mark Whitmore

forgot to add


Mark Whitmore

I seem to remember using a standard (deep) socket with no problems.

But heh, it was dark, I was young and needed the money. Oh! sorry that was something else.
Same old Gary

I'd have thought the nuts would all be imperial unless you specifically ordered metric.

A lot of ARP staff has a 3/8 'wrenching head' - their web site usually states the wrenching head for any given part number.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Mark. There are two basic type of socket for use on a hex headed nut or bolt--a six point and a twelve point. The six point socket is stronger, when used with a hex nut/bolt, because it fully engages the entire surface of the nut/bolt. The twelve point socket allows you to get on the nut/bolt in tight places because it will engage on any six edges--less rotation required to get the socket over the nut/bolt. The twelve point sockets are becoming more common than the stronger six point sockets.

For a number of years, twelve point nuts have been available. MG used them on the connecting rods of the 18V series of engines beginning in the early 1970s. Take one of the nuts into a shop selling twelve point sockets and see which one fits. Then, buy a twelve point socket in that size.

Les
Les Bengtson

I find that most 1/2" drive socket sets have 12 point sockets whereas the now more popular 3/8" drive socket sets tend towards 6 point ones.

As has been said deep drive sockets even in 3/8" drive are often 12 pointers and if you are working a log way down a stud they would be ideal anyway.

I am lucky to have been GIVEN several 12 point Snap-on 3/8" drive sockets

They are the bizzness.

Machine mart have several (many!) sets with both styles available, but my eyes are not good enough to make out which is which in their tiny printed catalogue
Bill

Many thanks, I was worried that some sort of special socket was required, will have a look over the weekend and hopefully she will clear her throat sometime soon!!!
It has been a bit quiet of late!
Thanks again
Mark
Mark Whitmore

Thanks for the advice, after a quick raid of my Dads garage I came up trumps, 5 hours yesterday and 2 hours this afternoon to refit the studs, head, carbs, Radiator (damn rad bolts, would have been 3 hours yesterday if not for them) do an oil change and fit an oil cooler... Phew!!

Well she certainly cleared her throat, what a sweet sound.

I've ran her up to normal temp and all that remains is to retorque when I get chance and that should be that.
Roll on summer.

Mark
Mark Whitmore

Mark,

Glad to hear all is now sorted.

I forgot to mention before, I hope you have a 9 stud head, as the front stud on an 11 stud head is done to a lower torque. AFAIK no standard spridget had 11 stud heads. Did the ARP kit provide 9 or 11 studs?. The front fastener on my 11 stud head is actually a special bolt and IIRC the thread is 5/15 UNC into a stainless thread insert in the block.
David Billington

David, it was a 9 stud kit but the head that I fitted is an MG Metro one so other than the lack of bypass hose, no change.
Looking forward to the open rad (and some decent weather!!)
Mark
Mark Whitmore

Mark

Where did you get the stud kit from?...and how much?
Dave O'Neill 2

Hi,
the stud kit was purchased from Minisport in Lancashire, www.minisport.com and weighed in at £135 including postage (next day and arrived pre 9am) the kit also included the 4 shorter rocker studs and all nuts.

Mark

Should be open road in my last post, nobody wants an open rad!!!
Mark Whitmore

This thread was discussed between 08/02/2008 and 14/02/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.