Aluminum motor noob?
Aluminum motor noob? This is my first all aluminum motor and I had a question about threads. When removing and reinstalling bolts such as header and such. Do I need to chase the threads w/ a tap every time I remove them? Do I need to clean the factory loctite from the bolts? What is the best way to clean these if necessary?
I removed the manifolds and dip stick tube bolt, when I went to put the dipstick tube bolt back in it felt very tight and it was not cross threaded.
I just don't want to strip anything.
Thanks
I removed the manifolds and dip stick tube bolt, when I went to put the dipstick tube bolt back in it felt very tight and it was not cross threaded.
I just don't want to strip anything.
Thanks
I never chase the bolt threads, but I like to use a wirewheel in my die grinder to clean up the bolts if they are really crappy. Most people dab a little anti-sieze on their header bolts too.
The threads are stronger than you think, but you just need to be a little more careful than steel stuff. I've broken bolts off in the aluminum before it stripped before. The only hole I've had strip was one of the ones holding the clutch slave cylinder to the tranny. I drilled it out a little bigger and retapped, then went back with a slightly larger bolt.
I believe it does have loctite from the factory, but most people go back with anti-sieze. I don't like to loctite anything aluminum that is easy to tighten. 
The threads are stronger than you think, but you just need to be a little more careful than steel stuff. I've broken bolts off in the aluminum before it stripped before. The only hole I've had strip was one of the ones holding the clutch slave cylinder to the tranny. I drilled it out a little bigger and retapped, then went back with a slightly larger bolt.
Originally Posted by greatwhite99
you should be able to use the old bolts to chase the threads. There should not be loctite on the header bolts it should be antisieze.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: So.Cal.
If you must chase threads in aluminum, don't use a tap, use a non-cutting thread chaser/cleaner instead;
for example: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00952105000
for example: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00952105000
