Help with bolt hole threads
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 18
From: South East USA
Help with bolt hole threads
I took off the water pump to replace it and now two of the bolt holes aren't threading the bolt back in the block. As I said, all I have done is remove them, and now they don't want to go back in. The threads look OK. I'm the second owner of the car. As far as I know it was the original water pump.
Can the aluminum holes be safely cleaned up with a chase ? I have never done it on aluminum. Any ideas/advice appreciated.
Thanks.
Can the aluminum holes be safely cleaned up with a chase ? I have never done it on aluminum. Any ideas/advice appreciated.
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
loosen the other two bolts and the last two will start without a problem. Either that or you've got the gasket out of place and it's stopping the bolts.
Take the water pump back off, check to see that all 4 start and screw in ok, then start over.
Just don't tighten one all the way and then expect the others to line up, it ain't gonna happen.
Take the water pump back off, check to see that all 4 start and screw in ok, then start over.
Just don't tighten one all the way and then expect the others to line up, it ain't gonna happen.
Last edited by K-Spaz; Nov 3, 2016 at 05:34 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
loosen the other two bolts and the last two will start without a problem. Either that or you've got the gasket out of place and it's stopping the bolts.
Take the water pump back off, check to see that all 4 start and screw in ok, then start over.
Just don't tighten one all the way and then expect the others to line up, it ain't gonna happen.
Take the water pump back off, check to see that all 4 start and screw in ok, then start over.
Just don't tighten one all the way and then expect the others to line up, it ain't gonna happen.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 18
From: South East USA
Sorry I wasn't more clear. I was checking the bolts without the pump in place when this happened. Two just wouldn't thread. Tap and die cleanup kit from the guys at Oreily's did the trick.
Pump is in place. Taking the rest of the night off.
Thanks for the input gentlemen.
Pump is in place. Taking the rest of the night off.
Thanks for the input gentlemen.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Did you remove them with an impact wrench/air ratchet? If you do and you allow it to spin after the bolt is out, that will peen the end threads in and you won't be able to get it to start again.
Glad to hear the tap worked. I'm always real careful with them because they like to start their own new threads and take out what little is left when cutting aluminum.
Glad to hear the tap worked. I'm always real careful with them because they like to start their own new threads and take out what little is left when cutting aluminum.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski