spdrcr7882

i was reinstalling my oil pan and stripped the bolt holes that go up into the rear main cover. I have a 5.3L iron block, and i didn't reaize that the rear cover was a weaker metal, (I assume aluminum). I have the engine back apart, becuase i am replacing the bearings. What would be the best solution to the striped bolt holes. Buying a new rear cover, or retapping the holes? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
justin

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Buy a new/used cover. IMO trying to save the threads by retapping the same size is a lose/lose. You can find covers cheap here or on ebay.

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

You can helicoil them, but a new cover is less than the helicoil kit. Dont torque the next one so tight

spdrcr7882

Ya, will def be following the tourque specs on the next cover. Would anyone happen to know if the rear cover is the same from a 5.3L block to a 5.7L. I assumed they were, but when I looked on ebay the covers that were for the 5.3, listed other engines they would work with, and the 5.7 wasnt one of them. just wanted to make sure before I bought a cover and it didn't fit.
Thanks
Justin

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

All LSx rear covers interchange. Only the LSX block requires a specific cover