Stripped threads in aluminum head
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Stripped threads in aluminum head
I'm about 10 bolts away from having my '93 LT-1 rebuild finished and I just over torqued the two long bolts on the power stearing pump.
Short of pulling the whole engine out and putting in a helicoil does anyone have a better idea.
Elmer's Glue??
Short of pulling the whole engine out and putting in a helicoil does anyone have a better idea.
Elmer's Glue??
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
removing broken bolt
Get the pump & bracket out of the way, try to find a hardened left hand drill bit. You may get lucky & back the bolts out that way. If they don't back out drill your hole in bolt & use an EZout to get them. Work slowly & don't drill hole in block.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Thanks anyway.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
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From: Apple Valley MN
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Yeah. I guess I'll have to try to use an insert like the Helicoil. I have no idea how I'll even get a drill in that space. Hopefully, a right-angle drill will have room.
AAAArrrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!
Thanks to everybody for your responses.
Larry...
AAAArrrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!
Thanks to everybody for your responses.
Larry...
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Linton Indiana
I once used the inserts on a Volkswagen engine for spark plug hole. Had to be drilled out, threaded and screwed in using red loctite. It wasn't hard but the head was off the motor and easy to get to. Loctite makes a product that's supposed to hold on stripped threads. I've never tried it and I don't know the name of it, but I've seen it in hardware stores. I looked on the Loctite web site and didn't see it there. Your best bet, nonetheless, is a heli-coil. Sometimes when we repair our own cars we have to take our medicine!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
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From: moraga ca
I once used the inserts on a Volkswagen engine for spark plug hole. Had to be drilled out, threaded and screwed in using red loctite. It wasn't hard but the head was off the motor and easy to get to. Loctite makes a product that's supposed to hold on stripped threads. I've never tried it and I don't know the name of it, but I've seen it in hardware stores. I looked on the Loctite web site and didn't see it there. Your best bet, nonetheless, is a heli-coil. Sometimes when we repair our own cars we have to take our medicine!
Pro
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From: Wichita Kansas
Le Mans Master
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Pro
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From: middle of Illinois
I'd trust myself repairing my own car over some mechanic in a garage. In my opinion, no one will take the time and care to do things right better than me. Sure we all make mistakes and learn from them, but how many outside mechanics would make the mistake like the stripped threads and bolt everything back up and give the car back to the customer? With the tension of the belt, the pump would probably stay in place for a while.
But the fact that they would do that and either not notice or not care enough to fix it is why I don't even trust them to put lugnuts on my car anymore.
Burning Brakes
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From: Fresno CA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 217
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From: Atlanta GA
The trick was finding one in Atlanta in 8mm 1.25 thread.
The good news was that I found them. Now, I have to customize a drill bit to fit into that space. I have a right angle adapter for the drill, but the bit is too long. I think I can just shorten it enough to fit in the tight space between the engine and the radiator.
It's just a machine. One way or another, the car "will" see it my way.
The good news was that I found them. Now, I have to customize a drill bit to fit into that space. I have a right angle adapter for the drill, but the bit is too long. I think I can just shorten it enough to fit in the tight space between the engine and the radiator.
It's just a machine. One way or another, the car "will" see it my way.
Racer
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From: Nesquehoning PA
Race Director
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From: moraga ca
