Helicoil rentals, tips, experiences?
 

I did a little damage to threads on one of five valve cover bolts yesterday. It seems to be maybe okay, but I could use some "off-topic tech" advice on helicoil kits in case I need one. Can you rent them? Do they all cost $250-$600 like the stuff I quick searched at O'Reilley and Autozone? Are there smaller kits known-good for my specific application (the internal threads for a 10mm bolt seating)?

Thanks!

If it's just a valve cover bolt you could probably go oversize and/or longer.

Or maybe the parts store will loan or rent the heli-coil tool. Or if you're only buying one the price should be far lower.

When I did my timing belt, the tensioner bolt was over-torqued and pulled out the threads when I removed the bolt. Since there is only one bolt and if it comes loose, my engine is a boat anchor, I looked at a few different options to properly repair it.

The one I liked best was the Time-Sert kits.
Something like TIME-SERT Metric Thread Repair - M6

One kit will do five holes and comes with the drill bit and other tools needed to repair the hole. I'm not sure the kit above is the one you need, make sure you know the thread size and pitch before ordering.

Awesome guys. Thanks. I was trying to solve problems, and created a new one too. That's the way of the machine and people: it either works or it breaks, I either get it right or f-it-up! :o

6X1 or 8x1.25. See if you can get just the size you need. Drill deep enough for the tap to go in as far as you need. Done a few hundred.

maybe try Lowes.

regards
Mech

Sometimes another option is to loctite a stud in a hole with compromised threads and use a nut on it.

I found a Helicoil kit for one size at the hardware store once. It was about $20 or so. Another time I fixed damaged threads by cleaning and degreasing, oiling the bolt, and using Plastic Steel.

6x1.0mm for the win, according to p. 6-17 in the 1996-1998 Honda FSM. Good memory, Old Mech. :thumbup:

Ive done this before. For pans and covers it can make easier to do in the future and I end up doing all the bolts.

A heli coil is just fine for your application calcivic. Just make sure you go (drill) deep enough for the tap to cut enough threads for the helicoil without bottoming out your bolt. I might even do the drilling with the valve cover on to keep the metal out of the engine.

I'm not sure if the bolt bottoms out or has a shoulder to control its clamping force. You can pull enough torque with one finger on a 1/4 inch ratchet. It's only a few foot pounds if that much, might be inch pounds. See if the good one bottoms out and try to get the reapired one to do the same or a little more, but not less.

regards
Mech