HELICOIL REPAIR
My thread repair kit showed up today and I wasted no time in repairing my stripped out carburetor float bowl hole. I have never installed a helicoil before ( especially such a small thing ) and I can’t believe I’m the only one , so I thought I’d outline the process.
I bought a complete kit through Amazon. Not an actual Helicoil brand but a close cousin.
It has everything you need for the job, including 10 threaded inserts. This kit is for 4mm holes.
First thing I did was drill out my stripped hole.
Then begin tapping.
I used a small amount of oil on the tap as I went.
KSHansen had warned that given the position of the repair ( right above the choke housing )
That I would have to grind the tip off of the tap
Because the tap cannot pass completely through the hole. He was correct. By the time the tip of the tap was hitting the choke housing, it had just started to cut threads.
So I backed it out and ground the tip flat.
Then went back in and finished cutting the threads.
Those with experienced eyes will notice that I’m a little off perpendicular. It’s a little skewed but it did not affect the performance of the repair.
Then, using my installation tool, I simply screwed the insert in place. Prior to doing this I cleaned out the threads with alcohol and paper towels and put a drop of blue locktite on the newly cut threads to help hold the insert. We’re only talking about four threads here!
Once the insert is screwed in you insert the punch , lay it on top of the drive tang and give it a sharp rap and the tang breaks off.
Does this look like a $32 dollar hole to you? That’s what it cost me to repair it.
One last thing to do, give it a little test fit.
Beautiful! Snug as a bug! I had really considered doing a bandaid fix on this thing.
I could’ve simply ran a bigger screw in there, but then I’d always have one oddball screw to keep track of. In the end I’m very happy with this repair, and I learned something new.
Thanks to all who offered advice. This was a job I was reluctant to take on, but like most jobs that make you nervous, education and preparation win the day.
That and the support of your friends of course!
Thanks, Bob