I recently purchased an em1 and its been well taken care of but the engine bay is definitely not in the shape I would like it to be particularly all the nuts and bolts which are rusted out and am looking for some options on what I could do.

Replacing them with oem nuts and bolts seems unpractical and costly but aftermarket fasteners like passwordjdms are costly as well and having their logo on each fastener really isn't my flavor besides, I would still need nuts for the suspension/strut bar etc.

I'm just looking for some input and what you guys have done or recommend me do start getting the engine bay looking fresh again.

 

i just get stuff from home depot...its not all zinc plated, but it looks btter than rust...or try a fastenall if you have one local.

 

I assume you're mostly talking about 10mm bolts throughout the engine bay.

Try a salvage yard where they let you pull your own parts. Many times you can find nuts and bolts in near perfect condion behind the door panels and dash board.

Best part is they won't charge you much.

 

get a grinder u can put a wire brush on them and make them nuts look new... ive done this a few times..

 

Ultrasonic cleaner (about $80 - $100) and a wire cup wheel ($7).

 

Go to the junk yard and load up your pockets with nuts and bolts. Then buy something you need, or anything. And walk out a happy camper.

 

x2

 

do none of the above ..................................
my em1 (had) the same problem im still in the middle of restoring her.
simple solution go to any local machine shop ask if you can rent there glass/media blaster obviously you have to use it there . take all bolts brackets ect go to town then when they are down to bare steel again lookin brand new coat them with any compound of your choice to prevent corossion i used a aircraft c139.7 sealing fastner compound you should be able to use some ones blaster and if not good luck buying new ones