Well I had to remove the trans to fix an oil leak, galley plugs on a 350 Chevy. When I removed the trans I was carrying it out of the frame, T-bucket, I sort of swung it over the frame. It swung back hit my leg hyper-extended my leg and pulled a hamsting. Due to the pain I dropped the trans and broke the case. So I had the trans guy swap out the guts and put into a new case. Well one of the mounting bolt holes for the rear trans mount of the new case is stripped. I didn't notice until I got the car back together. I had the body off. I haven't talked to the trans guy yet. I think he will be able to put a helicoil in. However if he doesn't have the tools I was thinking of using Marine Tex to 'rebuild' the threads. I know Marine Tex is used to make similar repairs. But I'm not sure of the strength. Any ideas on whether that will hold? I can get a helicoil kit for about $35. I'm sure the more correct way to do this is with the helicoil. There is enough room I believe to get in there and drill for the helicoil. Thanks, Bill
It all depends how "proud" you are. If you're in a pinch, and it's not some wazoo show car, drill and tap to the next size (you'll have to drill the hole in the mount a little too). It's a little "mouse" but as they say-Can't see it from my house!
A helicoil would be the 'best' way but I agree that drilling it out for the next size bolt would be a reasonable option. I would rather do this than fill it with some 'thread repair' jizz. I can't recall on the th350 taishaft, can you get to the top of it and put a nut and washer on a longer bolt? That might be my second choice after the helicoil.
You can't get a longer bolt and nut on the TH 350. Drilling and tapping oversize is one less step and cheaper than a helicoil. I never thought of that. Guess I'm overengineering again. Thanks, Bill
I feal your pain, well with the tranny anyhow. I just swaped the nice clean nonleaking th350 for a built but pan leaking one. Sure as shit the mount threads were stripped in it too, funny thing was it was a smaller bolt in this one as compared to the other. I was planning on doing the drilling and tapping thing on mine.
well.. they strip really easily because the general, in his infinite wisdom.. used metric threads on some of the mounts... we mere mortals throw the 7/16 ths bolt in the hole and run em up tight < POP> there go the threads.. helicoil is the answer...jb kwick fast setting epoxy works in a pinch... just make sure you clean out the hole first with brake parts cleaner.. good luck
Did you supply the second housing? If your trans guy supplied the case, what would be the odds of having him swap the guts to another case? I know a helicoil is a good fix, but I'd be concerned about the durability of it lasting in aluminum.
heli-coil it! easy to do, instructions come with it. the rubber mount will split before it pulls out if done properly.
gozt.. helicoil insert is stainless and will increase the strength of aluminum threads by a bunch. used in aircraft,automotive,heavy equipment for many decades as the repair of choice.. i haven't bought any new heads for a while, but, brodix used to ship all the new aluminum heads with helicoil inserts in all of the threaded holes. my 2cs. dave
I guess proper installation would be the absolute key here. I've seen'em back out, but they weren't done by me. I've also seen'em come out of the spark plug holes in alum heads as well, but again, I don't know about who installed them.
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