Okay, so my 430 is in the car now and we put the coolant in the radiator last night and it just came right out, my friend had forgotten to tighten the bolts on the water pump. so i went to tighten them and i find out the threads are completely gone. Well, i tried to use a tap to get some new threads in there, but when i went to put the new bolt in the piece on the timing cover that the bolt goes into broke off..... so i assume my timing cover is worthless now, am i right? well if not what can i do, and if so, does anyone have any old timing covers to sell because i really dont want to spend FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS on a new one from TA. thanks..
Your cover may be repairable. I am not sure how good helicoils work in aluminum. You can also go to the parts for sale section and do a search for timing covers and find them for sale. There are even a couple of NOS covers for sale right now. Good luck and keep 'em running! :grin: :grin:
Take it to a machine shop. Aluminum is usually repairable. Maybe they can weld on some more material and machine it flat.
I have an extra one. I'll take 100.00 for it. If you can't get yours fixed, call me. (770) 838-9288. Russ Waters
Heli coils work great in aluminum. I have repaired many stripped water pump threads on 3.8s, 350s and 455s by using heli coils. I even repaired spark plug holes on a 300 with aluminum heads with Heli coils. The fix when done properly will be BETTER then new. Any Napa or Car Quest should carry the size you need.
