442craig

Hi Guys,

Putting the steering pump brackets back on my 68 400 I found the lower bolt hole stripped on the block. My question is should I fix it with a helicolil the same 7/16 size or re-tap it to a 1/2 thread?

Thanks,

Craig

TripDeuces

I'm gonna go heli-coil for $200 Alex

442craig

Is that a "Final Jeopardy" answer?

Thanks!

Nufo

HELI - all your hardware stays as it was... that's my 2 cents on it


Nufo(Fred)

MDchanic

Helicoil is the more elegant solution.

- Eric

rustyroger

Another vote for helicoil.
It will be at least as strong and possibly stronger than the original thread.
But make sure you don't overtighten it!.


Roger.

nsnarsk65cutlass

The answer is how do you repair stripped out threads? Agreed

442craig

Heli-coil it is! Well just found out what I'm doing this weekend! Just need to find a kit now!

Thanks for the support!

Craig

1970supremevert

advance auto, autozone or napa should have it on hand

66luvr

I put 3 helicoils in a crankshaft on a BBC and ran it with a 4spd, for 13 years. Couple clutch changes, and flywheel resurface, and a couple trans never had a problem with the helicoils at all.
Moral of the story, helicoil= good stuff.

442craig

Awesome! been a few years since I used one.

Good to know, thanks!

kitfoxdave

We used helicoils on the 20mm Gatling guns because of the available locking feature... the pullout strength is higher than original provided there is enough "meat" on the part. Can't ask for much more demanding service!

66ninetyeightls

If installed correctly Helicoils are stronger than the original threads.

oldcutlass

Good stuff Maynard, they last a long time. Follow the directions.

442craig

So I went out looking for the correct Heli coil kit finally found it. When I went to install it I realized the bolt was actually a 7/16 not a 3/8 bolt! I didn't strip it after all. I guess it is still better to have a little egg on your face than have to go through the trouble of fixing it! Right? Oops!

Thanks for the discussion!

Craig

Professur

DoH!!!

Lady72nRob71

I vote egg over work anytime!
Just glad you found out before to retapped it.

442craig

It takes a big man to admit his mistakes! Right!

m371961

Once I thought I was wrong but I was only mistaken!

Killian_Mörder

Getting the Heli-Coil set was no mistake, though. There's never anything wrong with getting tools

Octania

Geez guys
Jeopardy responses must be in the form of a question!