Stripped Intake Bolt Hole
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Dirty Jerzey
Stripped Intake Bolt Hole
I have an aluminum intake and one of the bolt holes appears to be stripped. I noticed it was leaking coolant from the water gooseneck, I tried to tighten the bolt and one of them won’t tighten.
What are my options for thread repair on an aluminum manifold?
What are my options for thread repair on an aluminum manifold?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
what bolt hole?? are you sure the stripped threads are not in the engine block?
i reread your post do you mean the thermostat housing?
i reread your post do you mean the thermostat housing?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
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From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
A helicoil would be easiest. I have also seen some stainless steel threaded inserts where you drill the intake, tap it and screw this in. It is threaded inside and out like a threaded plumbing bushing. Search!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Dirty Jerzey
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
63mako is right. Helicoil is an easy fix and most machine shops can do it in about 5 minutes. I have an aluminum L-88 manifold that has one of the carb mounting bolts helicoiled. However, the thermostat housing may not be as easy a fix. Not a lot of meat in that area for the coil to grab onto. And if antifreeze did any damage to those threads, it's even worse.
Dep
Dep
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: rockwall tx
if you take it to a machine shop have them put in a timesert rather than a helicoil. they are stronger and they last longer. we used them at the harley shop when we had thread problems on the motor cases.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,377
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You have 2 options. The quickest and easiest is to put a HeliCoil in it. It willl last forever. You can get a HeliCoil thread repair kit at any NAPA store for about $35 and do it yourself. You'll then have the tools in your toolbox for the next time you strip out another thread.
If the thread needs to be a heavy duty repair, use a Keensert. A Keensert is a solid threaded insert and has a pretty heavy wall thickness. These are used for extreme duty applications. Keenserts are available through McMaster-Carr and Carr-Lane.
If the thread needs to be a heavy duty repair, use a Keensert. A Keensert is a solid threaded insert and has a pretty heavy wall thickness. These are used for extreme duty applications. Keenserts are available through McMaster-Carr and Carr-Lane.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
63mako is right. Helicoil is an easy fix and most machine shops can do it in about 5 minutes. I have an aluminum L-88 manifold that has one of the carb mounting bolts helicoiled. However, the thermostat housing may not be as easy a fix. Not a lot of meat in that area for the coil to grab onto. And if antifreeze did any damage to those threads, it's even worse.
Dep
Dep
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
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From: Database Error Indiana
This aint NCRS accepted, but I got a 3/8 stud and coated it with JB weld and threaded it into the hole (freebie intake). Did this on my street/drag car Nova 2 seasons ago and never had a problem yet. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Dirty Jerzey
You have 2 options. The quickest and easiest is to put a HeliCoil in it. It willl last forever. You can get a HeliCoil thread repair kit at any NAPA store for about $35 and do it yourself. You'll then have the tools in your toolbox for the next time you strip out another thread.
If the thread needs to be a heavy duty repair, use a Keensert. A Keensert is a solid threaded insert and has a pretty heavy wall thickness. These are used for extreme duty applications. Keenserts are available through McMaster-Carr and Carr-Lane.
If the thread needs to be a heavy duty repair, use a Keensert. A Keensert is a solid threaded insert and has a pretty heavy wall thickness. These are used for extreme duty applications. Keenserts are available through McMaster-Carr and Carr-Lane.
Now I have to get moving on the steering system.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The Helicoil will fix the bad thread. But if the hole broke thru to the water passage, it will leak around the bolt shank and out the hole in the water inlet housing. Either put some JB Weld in the bottom of the hole before you Helicoil, or use the stud idea mentioned above to seal it up.
