OPINIONS, PART 1:

[Stewart G Griffin]

Part one:

What are the chances that a beginner who, not only, has never done a heli-coil job, but barely understands the theory behind it, do a successful job at repairing one of the starter mount holes on the engine block WHILE the engine is installed in a truck-chassis----the engine will not be removed for this procedure, would be sucessful at repairing this hole?

Or should the person send the truck to a shop?

OR

Should the person consider an aftermarket type starter of the type that has the mounting bolt holes in-line vs. staggered?   The stripped bolt hole on the engine block is the one in the staggered position.

[zieg85]

If you can drill a hole straight it is an easy thing to do.  I did my first and only one on my 53 Ford Jubilee tractor, and it was fairly easy to do.

[Lt.Del]

use duct tape

[1980c10]

did my first and only on an aluminum head from a spark plug that shot out while i was driving it. no problem to do it. no drilling is required just make sure u use the right kit.

[Blue 82]

I would skip the helicoil route
and install one of these
A genuine Hitachi
not a copy or a chinese clone.
I installed one in my old Camaro and it works great

http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/product.asp?ProdID=22227


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hitachi-Mini-Starter-PSL100-Chevy-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ110273370780QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item19acce1a9c&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

[Stewart G Griffin]

i am heavily leaning that way and considering one.

i wonder why hitachi makes this one part for the sbc but no others?  Why did they concentrate only on starters---for a chevy v-8 at that?

[VileZambonie]

Doing a heli-coil is pretty straight forward and easy. Just follow the directions.

[exilous]

use duct tape

Don't forget the tie-wire make sure to get a few loops around the solenoid and stuff.

[Stewart G Griffin]

OK, i think i'm finally going to try to helicoil the affected hole.  Yes, i'm a little slow (mentally and otherwise).

1) i would ask that comments such as "use duct tape,"   "use tie-wire," and other comments that are irrelevent to the topic be witheld until the problem is over and taken care of.  Thank you for your cooperation.

2) What are the ALL the different sizes(if any) of starter bolts used on the SBC?
i've heard that there are actually several different sizes used, and if it helps mine is a 78 305.

3) What EXACT size helicoil kit should i get?

[VileZambonie]

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(sokm3vqi4oof3j55bhmggbyd)/productdetails.aspx?sku=85767&source=GoogleBase

[Stewart G Griffin]

OK, sooo.........what size drill should i use?  And do i even need a drill?

It may seem like i'm asking redundant and simple questions, but basically i'm not real confident when working on engines.


Also, i guess/ASSume that all starter bolts for SBCs (all of them) are 3/8 coarse thread?

i greatly appreciated the help but,

Detail man, i need detail.

[eventhorizon66]

You don't always NEED to drill before tapping (especially when dealing with very soft metals), but in this case you should.  The kit will include recommendations on drill bit size.  Heli-coils are really easy to use.  The included instructions are very clear, but it's so simple instructions really aren't necessary.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i think i'm going to try a thread chaser first since the treads are still there and i can give it full 7 turns before popping and yes it's taken me this long because of bs going on at work.  And yes, i did take the starter out and actually looked at the affected hole and drew my conclusion based on a visual examination of this hole.


So, where can i get a chaser besides mail order;  i know jeg's/summit etc. have them but i was wondering about other retail such as harbor freight, sears, lowe's etc.  since i want to take care of the problem asap which i know does not seem like it, but my other issue(s) has been taken care of for now, so now i can finally get to the truck.    Going mail order means waiting 3 or more days, which if have to do, i will do.

a) The tool section keeps disapearing from the menu for some reason?   i would have posted this there.

[eventhorizon66]

Well if you find the correct thread repair kit, you will need to drill and tap the holes if some threads remain.  The internal threads of the thread repair insert should match what was originally there.  The external threads will of course be larger and should match the tap used.  The only time I have used a thread repair kit and not drilled the hole before tapping was when I was working with aluminum that had completely stripped out to essentially a smooth bore.

So a chaser would not work here.  But something like a thread restorer kit is handy to have for cleaning up threads.  I use mine all the time.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942275000P?keyword=thread+restorer

[CoggedBelt75]

I have been there and done that on the stripped tread thing. If chasing the threads doesn't help, which I'm thinking it won't since the threads are more than likely pulled, you will need a 3/8-16 heli-coil kit. The drill bit size is 25/64. Raise the front up so you will have plenty of room to get a straight shot at the hole. Jack stands and some sort of eye protection are a must for the installation! Once the old threads are drilled out, thread the coil on the installation tool, put a drop of red loc-tite on the outside threads of the coil, screw it in, insert something in the hole to break off the inside tang, and your ready to go.