I have noted in this thread that the Socket Cap starter bolt is treated as an
alien entity in the overall scheme of bolts on the engine. This is
interesting because I have exactly the opposite reaction. As I have been
building my engines and the Turbocharged Audi 3A engine, I have replaced all
bolts with socket caps (Allen head) bolts. I find that they are very easy to
work with and are available in higher strength grades than the regular hex
heads. The combination of an Allen key socket set and a quality hex key hand
set will set you back less than $40 in LA. Replacing the bolts on the diesel
oil pan with a set of 6 mm socket caps will make a believer out of most
knuckle busters.

Besides, I really like the way they look. Also, I enjoy going to Metric
Specialties in Burbank, giving him a list and walking out with a brown bag of
aircraft quality bolts for less than I pay for schlock at Pep Boys for the
hex metric.

Just my musings.

Frank Grunthaner