My first method of repair is to go metric. Typically the next size larger than the original tap size will work. I too hate heli coils and use timsrrts. I’ve oversized holes as large as 8”-8 tpi

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Originally posted by Big Steve:

quote:

Originally posted by adv ET 266:
Did you try removing the old insert and putting in new double or triple deep with longer bolt before making a larger hole and in the field upside down with trans, midplate and chassis in the way?

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There is no old insert, block itself is threaded

Even better then. Just use a stack of SS hela coil. Don’t forget the red lock tite

quote:

Originally posted by adv ET 266:

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:

quote:

Originally posted by adv ET 266:
Did you try removing the old insert and putting in new double or triple deep with longer bolt before making a larger hole and in the field upside down with trans, midplate and chassis in the way?

\

There is no old insert, block itself is threaded

Even better then. Just use a stack of SS hela coil. Don’t forget the red lock tite

I mean no offense but do not do that.

Steve i've fixed 2 of mine in the car. Huffman had a long drill bit at the track once then I did one at home. Both times I left the engine in the car and was able to do it fairly easy. Watch your bolt length afterwards and make sure it's not too long. Some of the fancy dancy ARP bolts or the ones supplied with Meziere starter are too long and bottom out before the starter gets tight.

I've used one of these Steve, Take it from me get the alignment kit with it, you'll thank me for it. Don't ask me how I figured that out. Way to easy to get it misaligned.

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Originally posted by sc4087:
Steve i've fixed 2 of mine in the car. Huffman had a long drill bit at the track once then I did one at home. Both times I left the engine in the car and was able to do it fairly easy. Watch your bolt length afterwards and make sure it's not too long. Some of the fancy dancy ARP bolts or the ones supplied with Meziere starter are too long and bottom out before the starter gets tight.

Mike, Funny you should mention the bolts. I switched to a HOP Ultra big dawg starter last year but continued to used the bolts from the Meziere starter. Both mounting blocks are the same dimension, the Meziere bolts are 4.250 long and exposing less than 3/4 inch of usable threads, so there was not much there to begin with!. The bolts that came with the HOP starter are 4.5 long with almost almost 1 inch of usiable threads. I tapped the hole in the block as deep as I could and the hole is 1.400 deep so I have plenty of good threads still in the block. I put an old Hitachi mounting block up there which is shorter than the HOP and Meziere and was able to pull the bolts tight. I ordered some 4.750 and 5 inch all threaded bolts from McMaster carr and will use whichever ones I can utilize most all the remaining threads in the block and should be good to go for now.
Next time I pull the engine I will install the Timeserts for a permanent repair

Thanks to everyone who made good suggestions, the use of a old Hitachi mounting block as a drill guide was an awesome suggestion since I had one in a junk box in the shop that I had been saving for no good reason. Definitely glad I saved it

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