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question about tapping holes...

well, i got under there last nite to get this taken care of. a machinist at my brother's work gave me a heli-coil set to work with.

i dropped the starter and was looking at the holes, and sure enough i noticed that one hole (the one i haven't had problems with) seemed to have threads right up flush with the surface of the block (actually looked like a heli-coil)- the other did not. so, just to make sure i actually needed to do this, i decided to try to thread a bolt into the hole one last time. turns out, i was using a bolt that was too short and that the bolt could only reach maybe one or two threads and that the threads were fine. so i got a longer bolt and everything is ok now. :D

i wish i had the stock starter bolts.
 
I haven't gone thru this whole thread, but I'm sure alot of good advice has been given, after all we do have machinists here, backing out as you go, lube, helicoils, etc...

One thing I didn't see mentioned and is something not often known.. For cleaning up existing threads, the proper tool is a threadchaser, NOT a tap... A set is too cheap of a tool for everyone not to have.. $35 in alot of cases... No excuses...

Can of carb cleaner and these will do you wonders often...

48367.JPG
 
Ryoken,

I've heard that same thing too. Taps will create the threads by cutting away even more metal....if the thread is already damged, you'll have almost no strength left by chasing it with a tap.

The thread chasers reshape the damaged threads and preserve more of the metal that's still left in the hole..... this is based on my own personal 2nd-hand, hearsay and speculation! :laugh:

I didn't realize that chaser sets were so cheap. I spent good money on a set of Snap-On taps/dies, and I was hesitant to rush out for the chaser set for fear that it was similarly priced.
 
Well, I think Snappy runs like $80 or 90... I have the Mac set, was cheaper I believe.. But I have seen some of the not so big brand names for as low as $35...

And yeah, I use them way more than taps or dies... No need to be cleaning up block threads with a tap, much safer, non agressive option..

I actually don't own Snappy's master tap and die set.. Think that beyotch is like $450... Mine is a pieced together set f different brands, Snappy, Hanson, etc in my own indexing setup with the drivers, etc, that I like...
 
Thread "taps" got into the discussion by way of considering using heli-coils. With heli-coils you have to step-up to a larger thread, but you all knew that.:D
Along with thread chasers there's also thread "files" for the really big stuff.
Good journeyman "lifetime" tools.:bow:
 
colbystephens said:
well, i got under there last nite to get this taken care of. a machinist at my brother's work gave me a heli-coil set to work with.

i dropped the starter and was looking at the holes, and sure enough i noticed that one hole (the one i haven't had problems with) seemed to have threads right up flush with the surface of the block (actually looked like a heli-coil)- the other did not. so, just to make sure i actually needed to do this, i decided to try to thread a bolt into the hole one last time. turns out, i was using a bolt that was too short and that the bolt could only reach maybe one or two threads and that the threads were fine. so i got a longer bolt and everything is ok now. :D

i wish i had the stock starter bolts.
Click to expand...

Are you using the stock starter bolts? I mean is there a knurled area on the shaft just below the head? (no jokes:D )

These special bolts help align the starter to the flywheel; a regular bolt will work but will allow too much slop and might make an awful rachet when you start it.
 
If one needed to use the helicoil option, you could bolt the starter up with the good bolt and use it as a guide for drilling/tapping the hole straight.
 
roadnotca said:
Thread "taps" got into the discussion by way of considering using heli-coils.
Click to expand...

right..

But I felt it a pertinent bit of info worthy of noting in this thread.. Considering I'd bet 1/2 the guys here did not know about threadchasers.. I've had so many mechanics come work for us with the "what do you mean a tap isn't the right tool?!?" bit...
 
ryoken said:
I haven't gone thru this whole thread, but I'm sure alot of good advice has been given, after all we do have machinists here, backing out as you go, lube, helicoils, etc...

One thing I didn't see mentioned and is something not often known.. For cleaning up existing threads, the proper tool is a threadchaser, NOT a tap... A set is too cheap of a tool for everyone not to have.. $35 in alot of cases... No excuses...

Can of carb cleaner and these will do you wonders often...

48367.JPG
Click to expand...

I have a set of these thread chasers but mine are craftsman brand are i'm sure they are the exact same company making them for everyone. I however do not even own a tap and die set YET but it is on my list of tools to buy. I want a good set when i make the purchase but they are not cheap by any means.

roadnotca: In case you or anyone else did not know since we are talking about taps, heli coil taps are a special tap and NOT the same as a regular tap.
 
CORRECT!!..some other facts about thread inserts you need to know!

Yeah--dont go using a "normal" tap,and try to screw in a heli-coil--it wont work!--Heli-Coil makes special sized taps to use when installing Heli-Coils,no others are the right thread!..you MUST buy their special tap!..

Also,another important thing to know,is that OTHER brands similar to Heli-Coil DO NOT use the same taps as a Heli-Coil !!..My friend ran into BIG troubles when he had to put several Heli-Coils in a newer Ford Expedition V-10's spark plug holes (they are notorious for stripping the plug holes in the heads--only have about 4 threads in each hole factory,and very little extra "meat" where the threads go,so installing Heli-Coils are difficult at best!)..

Well,he couldn't find enough thread inserts at parts stores locally in Heli-Coil brand,so he bought a similar "Thread-Sert" brand at other stores--he found out the hard way AFTER he'd tapped all the boogered up plug holes with the Heli-Coil tap,that the "Thread-Sert" brand insterts DIDN'T FIT the Heli-Coil tap threads!!:doah: --he was LUCKY to get them to go in,he had little choice but to crank them in with a breaker bar,we thought sure the heads would either crack or strip again!..

..it would have been a few days before he could get more Heli-Coils,and the customer was broken down en route to Florida,and didn't want to wait!...Ford has been under fire for the poor cylinder head castings on those V10 motors!..guess a LOT of them had this happen,but they refuse to waranty them..so be SURE you buy the right TAP that matches whatever brand of thread insert your going to use !!...:crazy:

Oh yeah--ran into another "Ford exclusive" the other day..some newer fords now have exhaust pipe studs in the exhaust manifold,that are FORD THREAD!!--NO other nuts known to mankind,metric ,USS,SAE will fit!..you MUST buy them at a Ford dealer!...how's THAT for making sure you get bent over at a dealer for them (and they cost 5 bucks for TWO nuts!..(I cheated and tapped the manifold for 3/8" studs instead!)....
 
4X4HIGH said:
roadnotca: In case you or anyone else did not know since we are talking about taps, heli coil taps are a special tap and NOT the same as a regular tap.
Click to expand...
Right, thats why most guys should buy the kit.
 
IF you indeed have a 6.2 in your truck, you better go to the dealer and buy the starter brace thats supposed to be on the back end of it, or you'll be sad when it breaks off the corner of your block. they're only like $3.00.
 
gmcburb1965 said:
Are you using the stock starter bolts? I mean is there a knurled area on the shaft just below the head? (no jokes:D )

These special bolts help align the starter to the flywheel; a regular bolt will work but will allow too much slop and might make an awful rachet when you start it.
Click to expand...
no. :( don't have them... wish i did tho. :)
 
yeah, i have that brace, but it did break, so i gotta get another one now. :)
 
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