I had one break off (617 engine) and see that Performance Products sells generic hardware. I'm pretty big on not buying from the dealer whenever possible (due to price issues) so I wonder if anyone can tell me which size is correct. I don't mind sawing off a bolt that's too long, but of course it has to have the right thread.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

I don't know if this helps or not, but if memory serves me correctly, a 10mm socket or wrench is needed to remove the bolts.

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2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel - 4x4, auto, 3.54 gears, long bed
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'92 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel - sold
'83 300D Turbodiesel - 4 speed manual/2.88 diff - sold
'87 300D Turbodiesel - sold
'82 300D Turbodiesel - sold

I was able to find the right bolt size and thread in my local Advance Auto store.

M6 - 1.0mm - 30mm long.

I presume M6 is a thread pitch standard.

30mm is a little longer than necessary, but on my thermostat housing there was plenty of room behind where the bolt exits. Because a 30mm bolt sticks out past the housing, you'd want to keep those exposed threads in good shape for future removal.

20mm long is probably the correct stock size, maybe 25mm.

In Advance Auto, the brand was "Keep-Tite!" in a green blister pack, Part Number 44204.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Ken,

For the most part I have found these screws are all standard threads, materials and lengths. I can find them in stock at my local hardware store. I bent a hex head cap screw that holds the camshaft sprocket to the camshaft on my 1986 190E 2.3-16 while adjusting valves. I was sure I was going to be stuck for a week while I ordered a new screw, but took a ride to the local hardware store and found the exact fastener, material, thread, and length. Since then I have found a number of other ones, exact duplicates in terms of lengths and threads and material, so I am convinced MB does not use odd lengths for anything. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Ken300D,

M6 means metric 6mm. That is the diameter of the shank of the cap screw. Typically a hex head cap srew with a 6mm. shank has a 10mm. hex head, and is known as an M6.

The thread is denoted by the 1.0 mm. This means the thread pitch is 1.0 mm. from land to land (or groove to groove

The last # is of course length. FWIW

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)