Hello all,
I am looking for experienced guidance about the cylinder head dome nuts.
Probably owing to torqueing and temperature variations, the chrome on the cylinder-head’s dome nuts seem to not withstand the ravages of time very well.
Is the agreed wisdom that it is better to buy new repro already plated ones or get a specialized plating shop to replate the original ones (assuming they are not damaged of course).
Same question for the cam cover some nuts 
Thank you.
I think I would go for a new set , in the UK they are around £70 
Thank you for your opinion. I’d love to hear from experience though, which option works best over time?
Really Eric only you can decide which is the best way to go, you have the items to view and determine whether the wear/damage is acceptable to re-chrome against purchasing a set of new items that should be pristine.
No experience, but if you have to, just buy new. I think it is simpler.
I bought new, for head and cam covers, from SNG about five years ago. They still look great. Paul.
Is the chrome plating on the new nuts now as good as the originals. I ask because I bought a replacement set many years ago for the 2+2 and the plating was poorly done; started flaking off. So, iIf the chrome is decent on the new one’s I’d buy new and never look back.
done both, can’t debate longevity. prefer replated originals but must check threads with lubed chaser on both, all. jj
I would be cautious about the quality of the plating on “new”. I had a bad experience with very short lived plating on new wheel rim embellishers - spoke to a plating specialist form the Midlands (UK) who roundly criticised the cost cutting cheap jobs on mass produced aftermarket parts. In your position I would speak with a plating specialist local to you before reaching a final decision.
Frankie
In my humble experience there are subtle differences between the years on the main head studs. So IF you have original for your engine I would recommend you have them replated. I have not had any issues using new for the cam covers.
I bought one new one (valve cover) and it looks a little too good - smooth - will be a while until it sees some use though. The chrome itself looks good and didn’t flake off even after using sandpaper and an open end wrench to make it blend in a little… I don’t like them being so shiny, but when one is brand new it is too much. I actually prefer the S3 XJ ones, dull and boring.
Thanks folks, so it seems there is no absolute truth here. I like my local plater and I’d rather give business locally. Plus I need the bumpers to get replated, so I will probably go original replated.
Greetings All,
Buy new.
Purchase a set of sockets, usually fiberglass lined to keep from marring that chrome OR ago for the sockets that engage the Flat rather than the Corners.
I have both, and prefer the rechromed ones as they have a nicer finish. The problem here is several variables: the condition of the old parts, the quality/ skill of the plater. Same thing with the new parts. On some new ones I see obvious machine marks underneath a thin chrome. My guess is some other suppliers are more careful in their fabrication and lay a heavier chrome on. So it’s hard to come up with a generalization of which us “best”.
The one you have more control over is rechroming your old parts.
i had mine replated 26 yrs ago , still perfect ,better than original!
i talked with the plating guy, and he said he would be very careful NOT to get plating inside the threads, filled them with some kind of goo stuff, then soaked it out, screwed on with fingers!
I saw that a full kit of new dome nuts from the usual suppliers is either $100 or $160 depending on quality.
My local plater asked for $250 to redo all done nuts and the front bumper overriders and underwriters, so he got my money.
He could not do the front bumper though, too big. Directed me to a competitor mike’s away, ah well…
Quite pleased with the work of the local plating shop.
All original nuts, with another lease of (beautiful) life
I zinc-plated the large washers at home.
You found a very loving plater. No place that I’ve used in the past would have been so kind. Those edges don’t even look touched.
Well, I am glad to hear that. The folks there are quite rough around their own edges , but clearly they pay attention to the jobs!
