Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:13:18 EDT
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Heli-Coil an Engine Oil Drain?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 21/07/2005 12:09:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
Any rate, I've been told that to replace the helicoil
with the next size up is the way to go. I'm nervous
about doing this because:
A) Never installed a heli-coil before
B) I'm concerned bout drilling the case by hand and
having to keep a hand drill square to the case so I
don't get a cock-eyed hole
C) Concerned about drilling too deep!
D) How do I keep the drill chips from getting into the
engine and slowly machining my newish powerplant
apart?
I'm looking for some real-life experience from those
out there who have gone this route. I'd like to know
how people solved the issues I listed above and how
long the fix worked for them.
I'f you've used another solution to this problem, that
worked, please let me know about that too. (No, I'm
not going to use an old spark plug.)
Barry, I would try using a No. 5334-14 , M14x1.25 "Sav-A-Thread Spark Plug
Port Repair Kit" to solve your problem. This kit is made by HeliCoil a Black
& Decker Company. It comes with a two stage tap that will allow you to make
the proper threads in the casing, without the worry of drilling off centre,
to insert the new threaded insert. This is a much better solution that using
an ordinary HeliCoil as it will withstand many removals and insertions of the
drain plug without failing. The chips of metal will either fall out due to
gravity working in your favour or stick to the tap because of the oil on it.
Either way there's no problem with chips being left behind to destroy your
motor.
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or http://frankcondelli.com
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
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