Z06supercharged

I need to repair some 3/8-24 size bolt hole threads that have stripped (in aluminum). I cannot heli coil it without removing and I dont wanna have to do that if I dont have to. The bolt only needs about 40 ft/lbs torque on it.

I see Loctite has some stuff out you mix and fill the hole with and then insert the bolt coated with a release agent for 5 mins to set the new threads then remove it and let it cure for a couple hours. Screw bolt back in and done...sounds too simple to me....

Anyone ever use this stuff? Does it actually work?

I can remove the part if this doesnt work and drill, fill/weld tap or heli coil but thats the last option I wanna have to do. It isnt a huge part and this bolt isnt taking a lot of stress.

thetaxman

I've always tig welded and retapped

vettenuts

Not sure what the part is but the Loctite sounds too good to be true. Not sure how heat and vibration would affect this repair either. 40 lb-ft is a pretty good load, I think I would remove and correct repair the part.

Quicksilver Vert 01

A little more information about it, might help to get some good ideas.

What are you working on?

Its_Go_Time

Helicoils are awsome. Better than new, if done properly. Pretty expensive little buggers, though...

Z06supercharged

Its on of the 3/8-16 bolt holes on my supercharger head unit. Its been boltless for a couple thousand miles so obviously not a big deal even with vibration/heat and other 3 are holding it just fine but I just decided its time to address the issue.

I noticed last night there is 1/2" of unused threads down in the hole as it came with 6" bolts and should of used 6.5" ones so im gonna go get a 6.5" bolt today or a 7" piece of threaded rod w/nut and see if it can grab enough of those last .5" of threads deep in the hole to get a grip to tighten down some.

The threads arent in bad shape as I ran a tap down in there and it cleaned them up but just a tad shallow now for gripping tight but bolt screws in fine so maybe ill get it to snag the unused threads.

Anyway not a big deal as I can pull the head unit when winter gets here and drill it out and fix it the right way but by then ill probably be going to a bigger head unit anyway for more HP.

Its just one of those things that bugs the hell out of me ya know...

I guess I just got too much time on my hands looking for things to do to the car. Wife works all day and I play with the car... such a great life!

Quicksilver Vert 01

A longer bolt or a length of threaded rod sounds good to me.

I would use some removable Loctite on them too.

Blown427conv

I think the studding idea is a good one, could also rethread the hole slightly larger to a metric size if that doesn't work.

Z06supercharged

Well success! Turns out the hole went all the way through and was able to tap even further back through it til I couldnt get the tap any further. Got as 6-3/4 bolt threaded and tight.

I am gonna buy that Loctite stuff though and give it a test and see how it does.