Fail Thread of Failed Thread
 

As some of you may have seen, i had a issue with getting 2 messed up flex plates. That issue was solved yesterday, as 3 minutes after, a new issue is on the horizon.

Finally got the right length belt for my set up using an adjustable alternator bracket(No PS, No AC, No WP, so belt is just from balancer to Alt) so i decised to throw it in. Previously, all bolts were just hand tight for mock up and belt length check.

2 of the 3 bolts securing the alt to the block went on with no issue, the last one however did not. Within a few turns of the torque wrench(goal tq 37ft lbs) i had a free spinning bolt on my hands. backed it out and was greeted with this...


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4427/...49d45362_z.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/...22edb05b_z.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4463/...ecbfc3b5_z.jpg

Now if i was hammering this in with a battery impact or something i would get it, but i was tightening by hand, to 37ft lbs, and it let go well before it was even close to tight. So something is up.

My guess is that is this a previously repaired thread, and it just wasnt done to well resulting in this. Or possibly, due to this being the bolt that holds the tension of the alternator belt, maybe the lateral force against the bolt from the belt tension effected it?

Either way it doesnt matter what caused it, i just need to get it fixed. Right now the options look as followed:

-HeliCoil (cheap, can prob obtain today)
-Time Sert ($$$)
-Drill and tap for larger size bolt (rather not this one)

Advice?

Just to clarify before i purchase anything, the threads are M10x1.5, correct ?

Heli coil and call it a day. If that has issues in the future drill the hole bigger and retap

Was curious as to the torque rating of a helicoil. I believe kirk just mended his rocker bolt with a helicoil, but those should only be 22ft lbs.

Strength of a helicoil will depend on the length you use.

I would helicoil it, do your best to drill the hole perfectly perpendicular to the surface. IDK automotive helicoils but I would avoid using a locking version and rely on the lockwasher with a dab of loctite.

I was unaware there was automotive designated helicoils. I thought they were all the same.

I assume they all are the same, but I just know the milspec for them and I doubt Napa can follow that

I was gunna run to lowes on my lunch and hope they had em.

Theres 900 things on that page Matt wtf lmao

The title of this thread. I appreciate it.

All of this.

You guys dont realize by now that i need examples of what to buy?

Why not just leave it at two bolts ?

Little tough to see in the image but how boogered is the existing hole? My concern is going with the same size and having it not grab since the damage is there. I would still give it a shot with the right size and if it doesn't work, well you know you need to go bigger. I wouldn't go with a locking type of helicoil as if it gets screwed up (stuck, etc), you are definitely going to have to drill it bigger vs trying again.

Maybe they have this local to you but double check the bolt of course before swiping the card - http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...tem/516477_0_0

I am assuming you wanted M10. 10.5mm drll hole and tap tool https://www.mcmaster.com/#91709a548/=19kd3lj

This is 1L
https://www.mcmaster.com/#91732a648/=19kd2wt

1.5L
https://www.mcmaster.com/#91732a265/=19kd31a

IDK how much material you have depth wise

*Since you have a blind hole, be damn careful to not bottom out the tap. They will snap and then you will be all sorts of ****ed*

If it was a stock alternator bracket i would, but its a adjustable one. So there is only 2 bolts that hold it to the block.

A spark plug blew out of my buddy's mustang and we fixed it with a heli coil. He put another 10k+ miles on it before selling it and there was never another issue.

That doesn't look like a repair fyi, I've seen it before with aluminum holes and steel bolts.

Would be better off in that case then, no? More meat for helicoil

That would be a better scenario.

Well lets hope for that then.

M10x1.5 tap purchased to clean up all the other threads on the block as a safety. I dont really have time for many more mishaps

Get your techs at work to help you :rofl: especially if they don't have a job in the bay at the time, you could have it done in a few days

Sadly my car is at my house and not work :|

I wish it was at work thought, after 2-3 in the afternoon we are dead. Id be way ahead of were i am now