stripped crank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jamal · 05-30-2005, 10:04 PM

I know I ask more questions than I contribute, but hopefully one day I can return the favor. Anyway, my feter in law stripped his threads for the harmonic balanancer bolt. How can he fix this? It is a new engine, so would rather to not have to remove crank

*Randy70C-10* · 05-30-2005, 10:34 PM

Tried installing the balancer with the balancer bolt eh? That's a big no-no. If he only pulled the first couple of threads out, he'll be ok, but he needs to get some all-thread the same size as the bolt and install the balancer by running a nut with the balancer washer down the length of the all thread to push the balacer onto the crank. The all thread should be drove into the crank until it bottoms out before doing this.

Russell · 05-30-2005, 10:48 PM

The tool that Randy mentions is extremely easy to make if you have access to a welder. Just buy the fine threaded bolt he needs to fit into the crank, then weld another long bolt on the back side. Then using a combination of big nuts, thick washers etc, pull the balancer back onto the engine. Much safer, and works like a charm!

As far as the stripped crank goes -- How far down is it stripped? My crank is stripped about half way down due to me wrecking threads trying to get a busted harmonic balancer removal tool out, yet it is just fine. If you have enough threads to get the balancer on, then red locktite the other bolt in, it should not be a concern. Early SBC didn't even have a bolt holding the balancer on!

HugrOrang71 · 05-31-2005, 01:40 AM

If the threads have only been pulled out on the first few turns, you can get a longer bolt that will bite into the undamaged threads.

If there is no saving the existing threads, I would heli coil the crank and install a new bolt.

krue · 05-31-2005, 01:49 AM

If you can use a longer bolt, do it, otherwise heli coil.

Brainchild · 05-31-2005, 03:15 AM

Longer bolt.Helicoil works good too,but hte longer bolt is cheaper.

jamal · 06-01-2005, 01:59 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, he tried installing balancer with the bolt. I looked and it is only stripped maybe a third of the way. Where is a good place to buy a longer bolt? I have only been a member for a couple of weeks, and am already an addicted member. I love this board, and will keep everyone posted on my 67 stepside progress.

HugrOrang71 · 06-01-2005, 06:22 AM

I get my bolts from the bin at work

. Most cities have a fastener distributor that will sell to the general public. A decent parts store should be able to get what you need. Another great place to find bolts is a Caterpillar dealer. I think I used a bolt that was 1/2" longer than the OE one the last time I ran into it.

krue · 06-01-2005, 08:14 AM

Napa or any Ace Hardware store should have what ya need.

Fred T · 06-01-2005, 11:00 AM

Go to a hardware store, farm store or auto parts store. You should be able to get a grade 8 bolt the length you need.

flip66 · 06-01-2005, 11:48 AM

Some parts stores rent a balancer installer and once you get it on if its not bad striped you will still be able to use your origanel bolt.

05-30-2005, 10:04 PM	#1
jamal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bridgeport, AL Posts: 363	stripped crank I know I ask more questions than I contribute, but hopefully one day I can return the favor. Anyway, my feter in law stripped his threads for the harmonic balanancer bolt. How can he fix this? It is a new engine, so would rather to not have to remove crank

05-30-2005, 10:48 PM	#3
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	The tool that Randy mentions is extremely easy to make if you have access to a welder. Just buy the fine threaded bolt he needs to fit into the crank, then weld another long bolt on the back side. Then using a combination of big nuts, thick washers etc, pull the balancer back onto the engine. Much safer, and works like a charm! As far as the stripped crank goes -- How far down is it stripped? My crank is stripped about half way down due to me wrecking threads trying to get a busted harmonic balancer removal tool out, yet it is just fine. If you have enough threads to get the balancer on, then red locktite the other bolt in, it should not be a concern. Early SBC didn't even have a bolt holding the balancer on! __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

05-31-2005, 01:40 AM	#4
HugrOrang71 Bite me, import boy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Eagle Point, Oregon Posts: 102	If the threads have only been pulled out on the first few turns, you can get a longer bolt that will bite into the undamaged threads. If there is no saving the existing threads, I would heli coil the crank and install a new bolt. __________________ Jason '71 C-10 Deluxe-under construction '69 C20, 396,T400-donor truck, '65 C10 project "Facts are meaningless, You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true."

05-31-2005, 01:49 AM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	If you can use a longer bolt, do it, otherwise heli coil. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

05-31-2005, 03:15 AM	#6
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Longer bolt.Helicoil works good too,but hte longer bolt is cheaper. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website Last edited by Brainchild; 05-31-2005 at 03:15 AM.

05-30-2005, 10:34 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Tried installing the balancer with the balancer bolt eh? That's a big no-no. If he only pulled the first couple of threads out, he'll be ok, but he needs to get some all-thread the same size as the bolt and install the balancer by running a nut with the balancer washer down the length of the all thread to push the balacer onto the crank. The all thread should be drove into the crank until it bottoms out before doing this.

06-01-2005, 01:59 AM	#7
jamal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bridgeport, AL Posts: 363	Thanks for all the replies. Yes, he tried installing balancer with the bolt. I looked and it is only stripped maybe a third of the way. Where is a good place to buy a longer bolt? I have only been a member for a couple of weeks, and am already an addicted member. I love this board, and will keep everyone posted on my 67 stepside progress.

06-01-2005, 06:22 AM	#8
HugrOrang71 Bite me, import boy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Eagle Point, Oregon Posts: 102	I get my bolts from the bin at work . Most cities have a fastener distributor that will sell to the general public. A decent parts store should be able to get what you need. Another great place to find bolts is a Caterpillar dealer. I think I used a bolt that was 1/2" longer than the OE one the last time I ran into it. __________________ Jason '71 C-10 Deluxe-under construction '69 C20, 396,T400-donor truck, '65 C10 project "Facts are meaningless, You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true."

06-01-2005, 08:14 AM	#9
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Napa or any Ace Hardware store should have what ya need. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-01-2005, 11:00 AM	#10
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Go to a hardware store, farm store or auto parts store. You should be able to get a grade 8 bolt the length you need. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

06-01-2005, 11:48 AM	#11
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	Some parts stores rent a balancer installer and once you get it on if its not bad striped you will still be able to use your origanel bolt. __________________ 1998 Pontiac Grad Prix GTP 1969 C10 396 TH400 3.08 posi



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