Stripped Air Cleaner Stud Threads?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 58
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From: Fishers IN
Stripped Air Cleaner Stud Threads?
Hey guys. I removed the air cleaner lid on my 78 last night and I noticed that the air cleaner stud was very loose. I have had the car for about a year now and have not noticed this before. I tried to simply screw the stud back down into the carb, but it was still very loose. Looking into the carb, I did see some silver colored metal down in the stud hole. I am assuming this is the remains of what were the stud threads.
Any suggestions on next steps here? Also, this may be a stupid noob question, but do I need to worry about anything (remains of the threads for example) dropping through the air cleaner stud hole into "anything important" in the carb? Thanks in advance for the help...
Any suggestions on next steps here? Also, this may be a stupid noob question, but do I need to worry about anything (remains of the threads for example) dropping through the air cleaner stud hole into "anything important" in the carb? Thanks in advance for the help...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Can be repaired using a thread insert (such as Helicoil). Best to do it off the car, but if you're very careful and keep all of the spooge out of the carb bores you can do it on the car. Involves drilling the thread hole out to accept an oversize threaded insert which has the original thread size on the inside.
Typically they're 1/4-20 but you have to verify the correct original thread.
The inserts come in kits with all the necessary stuff except the skill.
Edit: not sure what is below the stud hole... depends on the carb.
Typically they're 1/4-20 but you have to verify the correct original thread.
The inserts come in kits with all the necessary stuff except the skill.
Edit: not sure what is below the stud hole... depends on the carb.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
A couple thing's you can do. If the thread's are still holding, maybe try some Loctite Bearing Mount locker, as this is designed for loose fitting part's. Rather pricey, though. The mentioned thread sert may be an option, but you'll need enough material to work with. If there's room where the stud bottom's to add a nut, another possibility.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Loctite Form-A-Thread Stripped Thread Repair, don't know if they sell it anymore or not. The principle was to coat your good bolt with one tube in the kit and then squeeze the other tube in the hole that was stripped. Then you put the your coated bolt in.
The threaded stuff hardens but does not adhere to your good bolt because of the stuff you coated it with. I have had the kit for over 10 years and never tried it but it might work, loktite stuff is usually pretty good
The threaded stuff hardens but does not adhere to your good bolt because of the stuff you coated it with. I have had the kit for over 10 years and never tried it but it might work, loktite stuff is usually pretty good
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
From: Fishers IN
I appreciate the responses guys. I realize this seems like a small issue, but this car has sentimental value and I would hate to screw it up by making a stupid noob mistake.
I'll take a look at the wall section and Helicoil specs. The Form-A-Thread solution sounds pretty cool actually. Much better than putting a bunch of JB Weld in the hole to hold the stud in. I should have mentioned this in my original post, but the carb is a stock Quadrajet (L48 engine).
I'll take a look at the wall section and Helicoil specs. The Form-A-Thread solution sounds pretty cool actually. Much better than putting a bunch of JB Weld in the hole to hold the stud in. I should have mentioned this in my original post, but the carb is a stock Quadrajet (L48 engine).
