helicoil

[dhen]

Anyone here have experience with Helicoil and aluminum? I'm going to try it this week and wanted to know if there's anything I need to worry about . I stripped a cam journal bolt hole. (My bad luck never ends...)

[boost_boy]

Anyone here have experience with Helicoil and aluminum? I'm going to try it this week and wanted to know if there's anything I need to worry about . I stripped a cam journal bolt hole. (My bad luck never ends...)

Nothing to fear as I've stripped them before. I just used a helicoil and the problem was solved. You cannot use FSM specs when tightening the camshaft bearing cap bolts. They are soft and so is the head, so you'll have to find a happy point that suits your equipment. I cannot tell you how I do because it may not work for you, but sure as hell stopped me from breaking bolts, stripping threads and playing with expensive @ss helicoils. I say go for it, but don't drill deeper than you have to or you'll have an unserviceable head.

[dhen]

Anyone here have experience with Helicoil and aluminum? I'm going to try it this week and wanted to know if there's anything I need to worry about . I stripped a cam journal bolt hole. (My bad luck never ends...)

Nothing to fear as I've stripped them before. I just used a helicoil and the problem was solved. You cannot use FSM specs when tightening the journal bolts. They are soft and so is the head, so you'll have to find a happy point that suits your equipment. I cannot tell you how I do because it may not work for you, but sure as hell stopped me from breaking bolts, stripping threads and playing with expensive @ss helicoils. I say go for it, but don't drill deeper than you have to or you'll have an unserviceable head.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone. I was following the FSM and you know the rest...

I'll be careful with the drill. I usually put a piece of tape on the bit to let me know where to stop.

Darian