[feedphillipnow]

Hey guys, I had a couple questions on an old post but tonight im actually doing the work. My oil pan would not seal before do to the last bolt on the front passenger side, the 1/2 inch bolt. I shined a light into the hole and I'd say about 55% of the thread is completely clean gone, im not sure a longer bolt would have enough thread to catch, if I bolt it all up and find out it doesnt I have to pull off the pan and gaskets and starter all again so I only want to do this once. I have a tap thread kit, the 1/2 re-thread bit looks larger than my 1/2 bolt (these are brand new oil pan bolts) does this mean the 1/2 tap bit is used ON 1/2 thread to take it up, or to make new thread INTO 1/2" does this make sence?

[71350SS]

Phil,
Are you confusing the wrench size with the thread size? Oil pan bolts on a small block are 1/4 and the end ones are 5/16.The end bolts have a 1/2 inch bolt head and the center ones have a 7/16 bolt head. Do yourself a favor before you screw up your block,go to sears and pick up their Craftsman thread chasing set.Its around 40$ and has all the popular SAE sizes and some common metric sizes.Its the same exact set you can get off the big tool trucks.Quality tools last a long time and will provide years of service.If you can still see some threads in there,run the thread chaser (it looks like a bolt and is used like one)
clean up the bolt hole and reinstall.Those bolts only need to be like 5 or 10 ft.lbs. to hold .
Plus you don't have to drop the pan to do this.

[ClintB]

You say 1/2" bolt, are you talking about 1/2" socket size? If you are, you need a 5/16" heli=coil kit. Drill it out with the drill bit, then tap it with the tap, then screw the insert in with the starting tool,and your done.

[71350SS]

Correction ; the end bolts are 1/4-20 (coarse) and the smaller center bolts are.....

[71350SS]

heres what you need
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_d...re&dir=catalog
Sears has similar setup about 30$ less.

[Dean]

Originally posted by pnutkemist:
I have a tap thread kit, the 1/2 re-thread bit looks larger than my 1/2 bolt

You need to use the 5/16 - 18 tap for the big bolts on the end, the rest are 1/4 - 20

[rocks66ss]

WOW!


Rocky

[feedphillipnow]

1/2 inch head/ socket size yes. So the ends are 5/16. I often confuse my sizes. I've never been a big fan of heli coils but it might work well here. I already drilled out the last of the thread and prepped it for new thread or a coil even. If I go as planned with the re-threading I need the tap or the handle to be very narrow right now its a nuckle buster and the pan is just enough in the way. I've prepped all this to do it with the pan on. It wont slide enough out of the way and cant come off without engine pulling or lifting and um, no [img]smile.gif[/img] But the hole looks nice now, really clean. Thanks for all the info and links so far. Im actually wanting heli-coils now which I never thought I would. pros and cons? for this type of situation.... ?

[feedphillipnow]

helo-coils are so cheap and stupid! I can handle an engine build, cam swap, welding in my new floors and seats but a wimpy little heli-coil and thread kit. NO CHANCE FOR ME I am hopeless. I also have a tap threading kit which I cant do from the angle I am in, I cant get enough pressure and be at the right angle to start a new thread, Ive never successfully done either of these, threads are NOT my thing. Let me know if you guys have any hot pointers.
[img]graemlins/hurray.gif[/img]

[ken70ss396]

Pnutkemist:
Before you go any further, please explain what you have.1.Do you have a Heli-coil kit? 2. Or do you have a thread chaser? 3.Or do you have a Larger tap?
From what you have said,it sounds like you have bought a heli-coil repair kit.And you have drilled out the old damaged threads.The Heli-coil kit will have a heli coil tap(example;for 5/16-18 it will have marked on it 5/16-18 STI)the STI designates helicoil Tap.It is larger than a standard 5/16-18 tap, designed for the Heli-coils.The kit will have a specific size drill bit ,for the heli-coil tap.And it will contain Heli-coils and the installation tool.
What is in the way,that causes you to need a narrow tap or tap handle?You were able to get the drill in there, but it sounds like something is in the way of the tap handle.Please explain.
You can get narrow tap extentions called Ritmar extentions. It is a narrow shaft made to hold a tap with a square machined on one end for the tap handle.
Also look at the link below for an alternative insert available from Mcmaster Carr.But you still need to be able to tap that hole .
http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/techn...ZLOK/EZLOK.htm

[feedphillipnow]

ken,
i just bought some of the helo coils in singles from ace hardware, I didnt have the full kit which I know is a good idea here. I do have a kit for re-threading though. I got the heli-coil in the hole and it looks good Im heading out to the hardware store to get a new bolt. Ill keep an eye out for that extension for the tap I cant find one anywhere.

[71350SS]

these work good for tight spaces http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_d...re&dir=catalog

[feedphillipnow]

I checked the links, a better set that what I have now. I actually got my re-threader in there but I cant get an even ring started, im working on my back overhead face up so it's hard to apply pressure, either im doing it VERY wrong or need better tools, probably both.... I know before putting the tap bit in the hole it needs to be drilled out with the exact right bit which im not sure I did. Also there are tap and die sets for threading and RE-threading, which is slightly confusing. This would be an all together new thread, Im about to goop some JB weld in this little seam but I dont believe in hokey fixes anymore [img]graemlins/beers.gif[/img] anyone want a thread project for a six pack [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[feedphillipnow]

HELP!
My 3/8" tap just slides right through the hole, I drilled it out larger than that and a 7/16" tap just fits in the entry of the new hole but I cant get it to thread and I think I may even need to go one larger from trying to get the 7/16" to work. Im holding off for now, I dont want to purchase a full set I'd like to find REALLY good quality and hopefully in singles. What Ive been trying to use is a hand thread-forming tap. HELP

I'd just like to EASIEST and best quality job possible! Then maybe I can sleep again and stop having these wierd dreams about bolts and threads... it's some crazy stuff
oh yeah... HELP!

[feedphillipnow]

ok my last post for tonight. I went to McMaster.com and looked at thread kits and heli-coils/ Helical and I do use these instead of re-threading the hole the "Tangless Screw-Lock Helical Inserts" They talk about being able to hole against fuels and vibration and they self lock, it also says there easy to use working upsidown, which is what i need! But if an installation tool is a must for these tangless inserts I'll pass tool is $300.00, I'd say cost is not a concern but thats pushing it.