95 Speedster reverse gate support bolt hole stripped

[jclack]

I've lost reverse gate shoulder bolts to the lake before and each time I easily replaced them w/ new ones. This time, not so much. The reason the bolt fell out is that part of the threads on the gate support are stripped or simply worn down. The replacement I tried to use wouldn't catch any threads. Luckily, I had a longer metric bolt of the same size and a washer that fits perfect in the depression on the reverse gate. I made a "shoulder" out of a piece of tubing, threaded it into the remaining threads w/ blue threadlock, and the gate works for now. However, I'm seeking a more permanent fix. As far as I can tell, my options are:

1. Try to somehow fill in and then retap the threads on the support
2. Buy a whole new support (don't want to - I'm cheap)
3. Stay with the longer bolt/washer setup and find a better, more permanent standoff to use as the shoulder
4. Thread an even longer bolt through the support and bolt on the other side (there's enough room). Proceed as in #3

What would be the best course of action to make sure I keep it running?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Dr Honda]

I would fix the issue by either......


1) Use a heila-coil to fix the threads.

2) Use Marinetex, or JB Weld to partly fill the hole. Then drill/tap back to the proper threads.


OR... if there's room... and you can weld aluminum...

3) Partly weld the hole, and dirll/tap.


If done properly... I've had #2 work VERY well. I had a water pump bolt strip out of an iron block, and that engine lasted for years with the repair.

 

[jclack]

Thanks, Dr. Honda!
The first two options look pretty good, esp. helicoil. The helicoil thread replacements look a little short. Are there longer ones?

 

[Coastiejoe]

Thanks, Dr. Honda!
The first two options look pretty good, esp. helicoil. The helicoil thread replacements look a little short. Are there longer ones?

You can stack the helicoils with some patience... I have threaded in the first coil using the stop of the helicoil itself. I cut and grind the stop off the second one and use red loctite and thread the helicoil on a bolt. Let it cure. Then put the red loctite on the outside of the helicoil and install it. Let it cure. Heat the bolt up and it will soften the loctite, unthread the bolt. So far, in every case I have done this, the coils have lined up and the bolt have threaded in merging with both coils.

 

[jclack]

Excellent! Thanks again - I'll give it a try.

 

[jclack]

About to embark on the rethreading with the rethreading w/ Heilicoils. Is there any reason I can't thread the Heilicoil onto the shoulder bolt w/ blue loctite, apply a little red loctite on the Heilicoil, then thread both into the newly tapped hole? Seems like this would get the (single) Heilicoil insert to the right depth because of the shoulder bolt.

Thanks,
Jim