using a helicoil on an aluminum intake - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 10-22-2008, 10:53 PM

today i was installing a carb on my motor which has an aluminum performer RPM intake. i stripped the rear driverside bolt (the bolt was spinning) and the only repare i can think off is to use a helicoil. is this a possibility for an aluminum intake? has anyone ever tried this?

crazy longhorn · 10-22-2008, 10:55 PM

Yes, that works.....crazyL

huero · 10-22-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

yes, that works.....

x2

crm318 · 10-22-2008, 11:04 PM

do yall know who supplies helicoil kits?

thesteppenwolf · 10-22-2008, 11:09 PM

Most auto stores will carry helicoils with the appropiate drill bit in a kit..if all else fails, Grainger catalog.

sdkid · 10-22-2008, 11:09 PM

Any parts store hould be able to get you some variation of a heli-coil set. It may not be the heli-coil brand name, but they all work the same for me.

**VetteVet** · 10-22-2008, 11:19 PM

You're going to drill it oversize for a helicoil so why not just drill it for the next size bolt and tap the threads . I.E. if it's 1/4 20 make it 5/16ths 18, or 5/16ths 24. I realize it won't work if the carb base won't accept a larger bolt.

Arad68 · 10-23-2008, 12:10 AM

I usualy just tap mine for the next biggest bolt. It has always worked for me. Sometimes helicoils are a huge pain.

**Tom Vogel** · 10-23-2008, 12:30 AM

Dont feel too bad. I did the same thing last week on mine... just the passenger side. When you get it Helicoiled, dont forget to use a little anti-seize compound on all your studs/nuts.

crazy longhorn · 10-23-2008, 12:43 AM

I have an old bud that would purchase a NEW intake, & install helicoils in every threaded hole before he installed it! His theory was , after he fixed it, it was better than new(LOL)! At any rate, a properly installed helicoil , will cause less problems than threads in aluminum castings(maybe thats why edelbrock heads have helicoils installed in the exhaust side, & under the rocker studs)? The biggest problem I have seen with a heliciol repair is the lenght of the helicoil ......most parts houses will sell you a 3/8,or 1/2" long helicoil. That dont work really sweet on a 3/4 or 1" deep hole

. If you go to a fastener company, you have more options on the lenght ......properly installed, its a better than new repair(in most cases). I would not helicoil a sparkplug hole, or mainbolt threads, or other high stress areas, but the intake is fair game .......crazyL

QKENUF4U · 10-23-2008, 12:47 AM

personally i will never use a helicoil if i can get a TIMESERT. 100x better IMHO as a bike tech.

thesteppenwolf · 10-23-2008, 12:53 AM

Timesert is new to me....I need o look them up, thanks

cdowns · 10-23-2008, 05:08 AM

whichever way you decide to go with your repair//over the years i've gotten into the habit on aluminum manifolds of installing studs to mount the carb so as not to have this problem in the future

Sport/Truck · 10-23-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

whichever way you decide to go with your repair//over the years i've gotten into the habit on aluminum manifolds of installing studs to mount the carb so as not to have this problem in the future

Do you recommend a Locktite product on the studs?
s/t

cdowns · 10-23-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

Do you recommend a Locktite product on the studs?
s/t

i use antisieze so they can be removed if needed in the future

pumpkin · 10-23-2008, 09:18 AM

Helicoils work very well. I know of people that install them even before the have a problem.

mr48chev · 10-23-2008, 11:26 AM

Crazy Longhorn and I must share friends because I know a couple of guys who do the same thing.

Usually you can get Heli coil kits at NAPA but many hardware and fastener stores have them.

I've done the drill and tap to the next larger size before but that gets to be a pain in the tail end when you go to swap carbs or other pieces around.

mrein3 · 10-23-2008, 01:15 PM

I hope you will be pulling the intake so you don't have a bunch of aluminum filings floating around your engine.

crm318 · 10-23-2008, 01:33 PM

yeah, i plan on removing the intake.

Sinister · 10-23-2008, 01:47 PM

I did one a while back, left the intake on the motor. Just use a shop vac.

mbgmike · 10-23-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QKENUF4U

personally i will never use a helicoil if i can get a TIMESERT. 100x better IMHO as a bike tech.

Thats the way to do it.

than you can use the same size bolts

mbgmike · 10-23-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteppenwolf

Timesert is new to me....I need o look them up, thanks

They are steel threaded inserts. Much better. I stole this pic off the net.

powerdriver 1958 · 10-23-2008, 08:34 PM

Had the same thing happen a few months ago,heres a link to a sister site
http://www.streetcruizin.com/forums/...ad.php?t=19765

lilred67 · 10-23-2008, 08:44 PM

i installed 4 of them in an aluminum bellhousing.the transmission bolts had gotten loose and screwed up the threads, so i put some helicoils in there and installed the transmission.the guy had that truck for 4-5 years later and never had a problem with them....

txclassics · 10-23-2012, 05:57 PM

Would anybody happened to know what size is the thread on the water plug that the heater hose is supposed to be plugged up to?

10-22-2008, 10:53 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	using a helicoil on an aluminum intake today i was installing a carb on my motor which has an aluminum performer RPM intake. i stripped the rear driverside bolt (the bolt was spinning) and the only repare i can think off is to use a helicoil. is this a possibility for an aluminum intake? has anyone ever tried this? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

10-22-2008, 10:55 PM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Yes, that works.....crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

10-22-2008, 11:04 PM	#4
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake do yall know who supplies helicoil kits? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

10-22-2008, 11:09 PM	#5
thesteppenwolf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 23	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Most auto stores will carry helicoils with the appropiate drill bit in a kit..if all else fails, Grainger catalog.

10-22-2008, 11:09 PM	#6
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Any parts store hould be able to get you some variation of a heli-coil set. It may not be the heli-coil brand name, but they all work the same for me. __________________ I think the world needs a drink... Help somebody...If you can....VanZant We're not wrong, we're not sorry, and its probably gonna happen again. That's the truth about men. Tracy Byrd Member# 13924 '70 c10, 350/350 '68 c10 250/4spd '68 c10 no eng/trans fac ps/pb/ac/at (future father/sons project) '48 Chevy Loadmaster

10-22-2008, 11:19 PM	#7
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake You're going to drill it oversize for a helicoil so why not just drill it for the next size bolt and tap the threads . I.E. if it's 1/4 20 make it 5/16ths 18, or 5/16ths 24. I realize it won't work if the carb base won't accept a larger bolt. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

10-23-2008, 12:10 AM	#8
Arad68 Trucks N Tranzams Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 816	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake I usualy just tap mine for the next biggest bolt. It has always worked for me. Sometimes helicoils are a huge pain. __________________ Don '68 Chevy LB 383 TH400/GV/373 posi '56 Chevy 4WD SWB '64 Chevy short stepside '79 Trans Am 455/TH2004R/12blt/4whldisc 95 Kia (Wifes car) 2002 S-10 extended cab pickup "God punishes small sins immediately"

10-23-2008, 12:30 AM	#9
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,564	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Dont feel too bad. I did the same thing last week on mine... just the passenger side. When you get it Helicoiled, dont forget to use a little anti-seize compound on all your studs/nuts.

10-23-2008, 12:43 AM	#10
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake I have an old bud that would purchase a NEW intake, & install helicoils in every threaded hole before he installed it! His theory was , after he fixed it, it was better than new(LOL)! At any rate, a properly installed helicoil , will cause less problems than threads in aluminum castings(maybe thats why edelbrock heads have helicoils installed in the exhaust side, & under the rocker studs)? The biggest problem I have seen with a heliciol repair is the lenght of the helicoil ......most parts houses will sell you a 3/8,or 1/2" long helicoil. That dont work really sweet on a 3/4 or 1" deep hole. If you go to a fastener company, you have more options on the lenght ......properly installed, its a better than new repair(in most cases). I would not helicoil a sparkplug hole, or mainbolt threads, or other high stress areas, but the intake is fair game .......crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

10-23-2008, 12:47 AM	#11
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake personally i will never use a helicoil if i can get a TIMESERT. 100x better IMHO as a bike tech.

10-23-2008, 12:53 AM	#12
thesteppenwolf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 23	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Timesert is new to me....I need o look them up, thanks

10-23-2008, 05:08 AM	#13
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake whichever way you decide to go with your repair//over the years i've gotten into the habit on aluminum manifolds of installing studs to mount the carb so as not to have this problem in the future __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-23-2008, 09:18 AM	#16
pumpkin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Sooke B.C. Canada Posts: 543	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Helicoils work very well. I know of people that install them even before the have a problem.

10-23-2008, 11:26 AM	#17
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,448	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Crazy Longhorn and I must share friends because I know a couple of guys who do the same thing. Usually you can get Heli coil kits at NAPA but many hardware and fastener stores have them. I've done the drill and tap to the next larger size before but that gets to be a pain in the tail end when you go to swap carbs or other pieces around.

10-23-2008, 01:15 PM	#18
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake I hope you will be pulling the intake so you don't have a bunch of aluminum filings floating around your engine. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN



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10-23-2008, 01:33 PM	#19
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake yeah, i plan on removing the intake. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

10-23-2008, 01:47 PM	#20
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake I did one a while back, left the intake on the motor. Just use a shop vac. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

10-23-2008, 08:34 PM	#23
powerdriver 1958 Kid's Mechanic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kansas City Posts: 8,241	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Had the same thing happen a few months ago,heres a link to a sister site http://www.streetcruizin.com/forums/...ad.php?t=19765

10-23-2008, 08:44 PM	#24
lilred67 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: weatherford,texas Posts: 1,003	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake i installed 4 of them in an aluminum bellhousing.the transmission bolts had gotten loose and screwed up the threads, so i put some helicoils in there and installed the transmission.the guy had that truck for 4-5 years later and never had a problem with them....

10-23-2012, 05:57 PM	#25
txclassics Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fort Worth Texas Posts: 28	Re: using a helicoil on an aluminum intake Would anybody happened to know what size is the thread on the water plug that the heater hose is supposed to be plugged up to?

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