Chuck Cole

I am hoping someone can give me an easy fix for my timing cover, in which one of the self-tapping bolts decided to pull through when giving it a little torque. Of course it really was the last one to go in and the gasket sealer has since hardened. The longer story is that I bought an aftermarket supposedly OEM timing cover. The first thing that didn't happen was the dowel holes were simply too small. Secondly, the seal would not go in and stay in. Trying to get it seated correctly, it would doink and fly across the room. About the 5th time of that and I decided to put the original timing cover in, It was really not in bad condition but I wanted to get new parts in it mostly. I have thought of larger self-tapping bolts but I am still afraid to tighten. I would really rather not take all of the front apart again, but it seems the only solution, tack on a nut. Anyone else have this happen ever? BTW this it the 1968 timing cover I am working with...the one from the factory! The OEM replacement was EBAY. It was too late to return it before I even started the build. Live and learn, you get what you pay for.

tru-blue 442

Chuck I have this one if you need, $30 and the ride. It has some pitting on the water pump side but shou


ld be fine.

442Harv

All you have to do is take it off, Then screw the bolt in, and put a nut on it. Than just weld the nut to the back of plate,take nut off and your good to go.

Chuck Cole

Thanks! If I have to remove mine, I will repair it. It is is very good condition other than the hole becoming too large for threads. It snugged down, but then I went for that little bit more to seal the gasket, zoom. I appreciate the offer though! Had I known it when it was off I could have fixed it easily. The engine is completely together minus the intake that I am waiting for EDELBROCK to stock again. Sigh... I might even give the EBAY one a few more tweaks!

olds 307 and 403

Which bolt stripped? My 260 currently has the bolt broke off for the timing tab and isn't leaking.

Chuck Cole

The one hardest to get at Naturally, the one in the center of the cover, under the water pump, Small bolts

Sampson

I have. Heard of others using a metric bolt of similar size in a stripped thread hole. How about a helecoil?

OLDSter Ralph

Not enough plate thickness for a heli-coil. The lack of thickness is why that hole strips out so easily..

bry593

Personally, I'd install TruBlu442's OE plate on it. Especially considering the seal debacle. You're going to have to take it off again anyway. Why not eliminate some risk and use the part designed by the engineers who had the specs?

olds 307 and 403

I just came across this on my 260, luckily it was the top one so I could put on a nut. This is actually the first time I have ever had this issue on an Olds. That blows for sure.