1977 Bronco - Proper Engine Bolt Coatings

[mrdibbles]

Hello Forum-
I am doing some detail work cleaning out my engine bay and restoring engine parts on my 1977 Bronco Ranger. The thought has crossed my mind to refinish my fasteners (bolts and nuts) to match the quality work I have done prepping and painting. Many of my bolts and nuts are corroded from the years and I want to replate them using a home replating kit. Caswell offers kits for this, as do other companies, so I thought I would ask the forum. What have you folks used to replate engine bolts and nuts? Have you used Black Zinc, Black Phosphate, or similar kits? What is the correct bolt and fastener coating I should use? I really hesitate simply painting these surfaces seeing as they'll chip when a wrench is used to install them. I've restored so much I hate to put rusty or black painted bolts on if there's a simple "at-home" kit that will provide a lasting correct look to a low mileage stock Bronco engine compartment.
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Matt Wilson-

 

[BroncoMark]

I'm not usre what the correct coating would be, but I've looked at those metal blackening kits that Eastwood sell. I'm interested to hear your results with whatever you try.

 

[66biker]

You might want to consider Totally Stainless fasteners, they have bolt kits in different finishes. The black finished stainless bolts are very nice. I know there pricey but the end results are worth it.

 

[mrdibbles]

You might want to consider Totally Stainless fasteners, they have bolt kits in different finishes. The black finished stainless bolts are very nice. I know there pricey but the end results are worth it.

I would like to explore this idea. Where have you seen these? Through Tom's, Wild Horses, etc...?

The only downside is the original bolts are all stamped correctly and I presume going with a new kit would undermine keeping it original down to the correct bolt stampings. I am not going too overboard here with originality but instead just trying to do my best to deviate as little as possible. Afterall... Bronco modifications are like tattoos. Nobody can stop at just one.