Does anyone know where I can purchase factory or at least factory-style starter bolts for a '96 250 5.8 4x4 auto trans? Mine are shot and I want to get new ones so as not to have any stripping or breakage problems down the road-been thru that one already!
Thanks-Jay

 

We have a place here called "Fastenall" They can get you just about anything you need. If you don't have something like that around you and you want new, I would have to say your best bet is the Ford dealer.

 

You cant get them in grade 8 at the hardware store?

 

I replaced mine with standerd grade 8 stuff. I HATE those short,"pre rounded" heads the stock ones had!!!! Have not pulled one yet, that did not round the head off, and I had to fight them.

 

X2 on what 95F350XL said. Nevermind the OE bolts. They're grade 2, and are inviting wrung off heads (as I did getting them outta mine). Get some 3/8-18 coarse Grade 8 bolts, umm, if memory serves me, 2-1/2 inches long? Maybe shorter. Just take one of the old ones with you to match thread pitch and length, and don't put anything but Grade 8 back in there. You won't regret it. You'll find the head size steps up from the 13mm (1/2) to 9/16 with a standard bolt as well. The OE bolts are hybrids that have metric heads on them, but SAE threads. Slap some anti-sieze on the threads before running them back in, and make sure to use a split lock washer under them. The split lock will add about 1/8" to the length needed.

Grade 8 is a MUCH harder bolt, and you'll never have to worry about mangling the heads again. I wound up cutting mine off with a dremel tool after chewing it up trying to get it out. The flanges on the OE's bolt heads are simply to put more surface area against the aluminum on the starter base to act like a lock washer. The builder probably put Loctite on the threads too. This is a BAD idea with steel bolts going into an aluminum bell.