Using a HeliCoil in a carb

[mrk5]

Today I managed to strip the threads in the main body of my carb for the accelerator pump discharge nozzle screw. I've never used anything like a HeliCoil, so I was wondering if it'll work on a carb.

FWIW, it's a Holley Truck Avenger.

Any other ideas to repair the threads?

I haven't had a chance to verify, but I'm guessing the screw is like a 10-24 thread pitch. It is only there to hold the discharge nozzle in place and it has to seal up enough to direct the gas through the screw and out through the nozzles. In other words, it doesn't see a lot of torque.

It's a hollow screw, so I'm stuck using the screw I have now. Up-sizing isn't an option.

 

[rdn2blazer]

you got nothing to loose it sounds like, you cant run it the way it is, if it were me I would give it a shot with a heli-coil.

 

[mrk5]

Yeah, I'm pretty pissed at myself. It's what I get trying to do it quick out in the cold instead of waiting until tomorrow when I'll have it in our shop. Only it won't be going anywhere for a bit. Looks like I'll be repairing a carb instead of mounting a winch.

 

[Jason4x4]

as long as there is enough material to drill the hole for the insert, it should be better than the original.

 

[rdn2blazer]

as long as there is enough material to drill the hole for the insert, it should be better than the original.

yea what he said, just dont fu*k it up this time.

 

[mrk5]

I can tell you if it works, I'm not changing the damn nozzle again! Not gonna touch that screw. Even if it belches a big plume of black smoke everytime I punch the throttle.

 

[UPS]

Why can't you drill the same size holes in a bigger screw? If you could do this you wouldn't have to drill as big of a hole in the carb would you?

Mike

 

[mrk5]

It would be tough. The center of the screw is hollow and there's a hole that goes through radially, plus the screw has a counter-sunk type head. Here's a pic for reference:

Note all the nice pieces of the wrecked threads still in the screw.

All that being said, I pulled the carb off this morning and brought it to our shop. I was able to get the nozzle installed. Apparently there were enough threads left to get it in. I swear I'm never touching them again.

 

[mrk5]

Oh and for future reference in case anyone else ever has this problem, the screw is a #12-28.