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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Helicoil advice, please
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Message started by serenity3743 on 02/23/10 at 08:04:03

Title: Helicoil advice, please
Post by serenity3743 on 02/23/10 at 08:04:03

Last time I tore down the engine, I drilled, tapped, and did helicoil inserts in two stripped bolt holes. One was in the head cover/cam assembly, the other was through the head into the cylinder jug. I need to open her up again. Can anybody tell me whether those helicoils will hold up to disassembly and re-assembly? Thanks in advance for any (good, reliable, accurate) advice. ;)

Title: Re: Helicoil advice, please
Post by 12Bravo on 02/23/10 at 09:17:19

As long as they were installed correctly, they should be ok. Biggest problem with helicoils is over torquing the bolts.

Title: Re: Helicoil advice, please
Post by Phelonius on 02/23/10 at 09:18:33

The worst thing that can happen is for the helicoil to back out with the bolt, If this happens, just reinstall a fresh helicoil in the same hole.

Phelonius

Title: Re: Helicoil advice, please
Post by serenity3743 on 02/23/10 at 10:27:29

Thanks for the replies. 12Bravo, I installed them according to the directions and did not overtorque, so you're saying I should be okay? :)
Phelonius, the problem with reinserting a new one is I'll have to pull the head again >:( UNLESS I can rig up a LONG (the thickness of the head + some) installation tool for the helicoil.

Title: Re: Helicoil advice, please
Post by bill67 on 02/23/10 at 10:42:41

I put a helicoil in a snowmobile engine in the spark plug hole and never had a problem with it.

Title: Re: Helicoil advice, please
Post by serenity3743 on 02/23/10 at 11:48:17

Good to know, Bill. Thanks.

Title: Re: Helicoil advice, please
Post by 12Bravo on 02/23/10 at 16:14:46

A trick that I used when I was a machinist in the Army was to dab just a small amount (I do mean a small amount) of Locktite on the outside of the helicoil. I have had them backout if the hole was oversized or if the bolt was over-torqued. When done right, helicoils will stay in and last.

Title: Re: Helicoil advice, please
Post by serenity3743 on 02/24/10 at 05:15:43

Thanks for all the input. I successfully disassembled and re-assembled the top end last evening and the helicoils stayed put!! Man, that's a great invention! :)