Stripped threads in head

[trent]

The threads that the can cap bolts go into, if thats well enough of a description. Just bought a gs 550 and the head was already off. The guy I got it from pulled top end off because of a oil leak between cylinder and motor? Was looking at the head and three thread holes are stripped to almost nothing.
I was gonna heli-coil them but have been told by a few people that there are four or five better fixes??


Any suggestion on how you guys would fix it??

Thanks

[Nessism]

Helicoil. Use a drill press to assure they go in straight.

[Doug]

".. but Have been told by a few people that there are four or five better fixes"

And those fixes are?

I've used Heli coils on my drag bike and on aircraft applications. Please tell us about those four or five "better" fixes.

[hillsy]

Yep. Helicoil.

Make sure the Helicoil sits well below the surface so there's no possibility of the cap being pushed up.

[posplayr]

In this case better means overkill. Helicoil a work great in aluminum .

[chuck hahn]

I use Timeserts. Timeserts are a threaded steel sleeve that goes into the hole. I think they are much better than your basic coiled up conventional helicoil.

http://www.timesert.com/html/mtrcsert.html

[AMK]

I like these better than Helicoils..

http://rivetsonline.com/thread-repair-kits/keenserts.html

[trent]

"

I've used Heli coils on my drag bike and on aircraft applications. Please tell us about those four or five "better" fixes.

Only remember timeset..don't remember others?
I watched a guy use heli coils on his GS1100 dragbike, he decided to go ahead and do all the cam cap threaded holes on his bikes head and thought I give it a go.
I found another head but would rather fix this one?

[posplayr]

Only remember timeset..don't remember others?
I watched a guy use heli coils on his GS1100 dragbike, he decided to go ahead and do all the cam cap threaded holes on his bikes head and thought I give it a go.
I found another head but would rather fix this one?

If you take one look at the size of a timesert, you will realize you will be hating life if you start replacing cam cap threads.

I have never had a helicoil go in crooked, just tap the threads by hand. It self-centers. I have had a head with a bunch of timecerts and every exhaust bolt was crooked(my mechanic did it when blue printing a Datsum 2000 engine for me back in the 1980's)

[DohcBikes]

There are several companies that make threaded inserts. Timesert is a great one and Napa also makes a good kit. Helicoils are about the least quality insert you can buy. Couldnt pay me to use one.

[AMK]

If you take one look at the size of a timesert, you will realize you will be hating life if you start replacing cam cap threads.

I have never had a helicoil go in crooked, just tap the threads by hand. It self-centers. I have had a head with a bunch of timecerts and every exhaust bolt was crooked(my mechanic did it when blue printing a Datsum 2000 engine for me back in the 1980's)

Very good point.

[DohcBikes]

If your timeserts are crooked its because you lack the skill it takes to install them.

[Nessism]

I work in the aerospace industry and helicoils are standard install on aluminum parts that get removed on a semi regular basis. We never use timeserts. I'd use helicoils for the application being discussed without hesitation. And I disagree with Jim that helicoils never go in crooked. Actually, it's not the helicoil that goes in wrong it's the tapping of the hole for the insert that can go in crooked. This is no joke and happens all the time. Using a guide like a drill press keeps this from happening. You just gotta make sure the tap starts in straight, you don't need to tap the whole way on a drill press.

Where I'd use a Timesert is on something like a spark plug hole.

[DohcBikes]

I work in the aerospace industry and helicoils are standard install on aluminum parts that get removed on a semi regular basis. We never use timeserts.

Whats your point