Went to install the bellhousing over the weekend only to find that the holes in the block were stripped (aluminum block). Looks like I have a few options and they all require drilling and tapping. Would it make sense to just move up to a bigger bolt instead of installing a heli coil or time-sert? Just looking for opinions.

 

no. time-sert is the strongest option because it jackets the area in steel. helicoil second best. problem with bigger bolt is you have less structure around it and it will be prone to cracking.

 

You mean the holes in the engine block ? Like all of them were stripped ? Who the **** was working on it ?

Everyone blabs about Timeserts....I'd doubt you have the room to drill and install them.

Helicoil is about the easiest all round, leaves you with the same bolt sizes, for not needing a much larger drill hole.

Tapping the next size up is an option, as long as you have room for the bolt head and socket of the next size up when installing the new fasteners.

But I'd just go with the helicoil. Simple, tried and tested and they just work.

 

Crazy, I know. Just part of the junkyard engine life. Soon as I started torquing them to 20 ft lbs they just all pulled threads.

Ordered a time sert kit so hopefully I won't have to pull the clutch and flywheel to install these. Probably will though considering the engine side of the quicktime bellhousing will be in the way.

 

you cant install timeserts without full free access to the metal face as they require a pretty large hole

A helicoil you could probably get away with as they're a lot smaller.

 

timesert definitely takes the most space to do right.

 

Fukwads using 3/8" imperial bolts to lift engine-mount on stand...........

 

That certainly wouldn't help things.