Timing side screws

[Pete A10]

If you want to use Allen key headed screws, they are available as sets from multiple outlets. One such on a well know auction site is attached but the page lists many others  https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/402341648872?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-153316-527457-8&mkcid=2&itemid=402341648872&targetid=4584826053363458&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=398226951&mkgroupid=1299622978767076&rlsatarget=pla-4584826053363458&abcId=2145997&merchantid=87779&msclkid=a6d77251958c1e12382c2db20ed3e64c
Getting good quality cross head screws could be more difficult and require more than 10 seconds of research.

[Phil C]

Very useful. Thanks Pete.  I guess it's just a matter of deciding.
Phil

[Pete A10]

Classicbikeshop do the full sets as well for both the distributor model and side points model. They are all defined as BSF which is the same as BCy for the pitch (26) but a slightly different thread angle. I think it is pretty well accepted that for 1/4" diameter that two threads are interchangeable.
I think that trying to get cross head screws could be problematic as the heads are like a deep cheesehead screw not just the standard cross head of today.

[Phil C]

In the garage briefly just now, and keen to keep moving before frostbite set it, I thought I'd just see how difficult one of the screws would be to undo.  Tried one which looked pretty abused, the one behind the footrest. I had the impact driver out ready, but to my surprise (see photo of its condition) it unscrewed easily, using an ordinary Phillips screwdriver. When it turned straight away I thought oh no is the thread stripped, but it came out fine. Fingers crossed, hope the female is okay.

The photo is not exactly an advertisement for Phillips screws, is it?  But obviously they shouldn't be abused, as this one has been. I guess we've all seen lots of them that have been damaged like this.

Makes it tempting to get one of the allen head sets as in Pete's post.

Phil.

[Colin SS90]

When I built my SS90 engine I bought stainless allen bolts for primary chaincase, inner and outer timing cases and found that they made tightening and undoing a lot easier as you get a more positive engagement of the tool into the bolt head. The thread form was cycle (CEI or BSC). The previous advise about using the short end to tighten the bolts is handy to prevent over tightening and potentially damaging the threads in the aluminium casings.

[Pete A10]

There's an outfit on line called Namrick.co.uk who do a massive range of imperial bolts and machine screws. They might do Phillips headed screws of the right size and may be worth a call. I've also noticed that ebay are selling case screw sets for T120 which have the Phillips heads  - not sure what thread they are but again it could be a lead to someone who has the correct size.

[Phil C]

But maybe one or two of quite a few different lengths would just be a pain for them. I quite like the idea of buying a set. My primary chaincase cover has cheesehead allen bolts - I wonder if the B40 would have had them originally, or have been the same as the timing side outer case.  Phil

[Phil C]

Actually it's not very easy to find a set for my 1965 B40F (sidepoints) model. Tried a number of places without success so far.  Phil

[Greenfield]

Hi Phil
Have you tried Richard at 'Tradeclassicbikes'?

[Phil C]

No, but will do now, thanks.

[Phil C]

He's going to check and get back to me.