metal interaction question

["Leo Heligas" <llhelig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I spent 39 years in the commecial aluminum door and window business and all the attachment screws that hold together the doors and windows were stainless steel I don't thingk the manufacturer would use screws that react with aluminum on high rise buildin windows!

Leo H.

'83 STILL EFI

----- Original Message -----

From: John Harvey

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 8:39 AM

Subject: Re: IML: metal interaction question

Dissimilar metals for the most part have a reaction.  Some are just more notable than others.  I didn't think Stainless steel had much reaction with aluminum, although regular carbon steels sure do.  Usually stainless is pretty benign and unreactive.  Pot metal doesn't seem to react much with regular steel, as evidenced by the fact that you can get your fasteners out of there, usually, and you rarely find problems on the body panels where it is mounted. Pot metal does suffer from weather and salt.

     I think you are pretty safe using stainless fastners with aluminum, but you must be certain that the gasket between the aluminum and the steel parts like fenders and headlight pots is properly positioned and in good shape.    

John 

----- Original Message -----

From: bom tie

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 10:13 PM

Subject: IML: metal interaction question

I am going through one of my cars now, as I remove parts and restore them I am replacing bolts and nuts with stainless when I can do so. I know that aluminum and stainless react and "rust" when they are left in contact. How about pot metal? How about nuts and screws on the carb (zinc magnesium)?
Thanks,
Charles
28 PLY
31 Cm6
62 NY
63 IMP
78 NYB

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