<VV> Used wrong size helicoil

Jim McLott Jim.McLott at DOR.GA.GOV
Sun Apr 16 19:39:52 EDT 2006


Christine has had a broken off oil pan bolt since I bought her.  It has never yielded to a bolt extractor, but since it's one of the inner ones by the cam gear, I never worried too much about it.  Today while I had the oil pan off, I decided to go ahead and drill it out and install a helicoil.  The operation was a success, except that I used the wrong size helicoil, 3/8 - 16 instead of 1/4 - 20.  (Too little sleep is a dangerous thing.)
 
Now I'm wondering what should I do?  Can I install a smaller helicoil over a larger one?  Should I try filling the hole with JB Weld and start all over again?  Should I find a bigger bolt that fits?  Should I do what I've done all these years and ignore it?
 
Thanks,
Jim McLott & Christine, the '66 Monza convertible wonder-car
Member: CORSA, Corvair Atlanta and Group Red
 
http://www.wittelaw.com/personal/groupred/mclott.htm
 


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