Subject: leaking oil - problem found
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 10/1/2007, 12:52 AM
To: AARotary Engine



    >
    > Hello Paul-
    >
    > So the cause of my leaking oil has been found.  I have determined
   that
    > quite a few of the tapped oil pan bolt holes in AL parts have been
    > stripped.  I have not surveyed all the bolts - I'll be pulling the
    > engine off again to do that on Tuesday.  But I did find 4 already
   that
    > are stripped.  I pulled the bolts out & they are fine.  But when
    > inserted, they cannot be torqued to the spec - they spin & spin...
    >
    > So I suppose I could thin some JB Weld and re-tap the holes, but
   given
    > my tapping skills, that sounds like a recipe for disaster.  I was
    > thinking instead of cutting the heads off of some appropriately
    > sized AN
    > bolts, flooding the bolt holes with JBWeld, and then inserting the
    > bolts
    > head-side first.  Since the pan only calls for ~ 8fp of torqued, I
    > figure this is a simple and reliable way to get studs for the
   stripped
    > holes that I can then put metal stop-nuts on to secure the pan.
    >
    > Comments?
    >
    > Mark (Rocky Mtn High)
    >
    > You must of read my mind. I was just thinking about your engine.
    >
    > No no don't do that. Get some helicoils and a special tap.
    > I am sure you can do it if you use the proper drill.
    > Use google to check for the drill sizes.
    > McMaster also gives the drill sizes on the web site.
    >
    > http://www.emhart.com/products/helicoil.asp
    > http://www.roadstarmagazine.com/modules.php?
    > name=News&file=article&sid=233
    >
    > In Mcmaster Carr speak they are called "Helical Inserts".
    > Available in both metric and English sizes. Come in a kit with the
    > drill
    > and special tap. I think those pan bolts are 6 mm.
    >
    > Also "Thread Inserts" that require a some what larger installation
    > holes.
    >
    > Other than the oil leak how is the p-port engine running.
    >
    > Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

   I have also found several stripped threads in the same location. If
   the holes are already stripped, then helicoils are the answer.
   Small  threads in aluminum are easy to strip.  I think it would be a
   good idea to run a clean out tap whenever reinserting these bolts and
   use a torque wrench.    Jerry


I was doing research on this on some machinists sites & came across the
suggestion to braze the stripped hole using a certina product.  Here's a
snippet from their website:



             Thread Repair - Helicoil Thread Repair Alternative

           Thread repair is easy with the HTS-2000 second-generation
           brazing rod. If you're looking for a Helicoil thread repair
           alternative you've come to the right place. With our
           industrial-strength brazing rod, simply fill a hole with the
           brazing rod material and drop a hot steel bolt into it. When
           cool, the steel bolt can be backed out and new threads are
           produced.

           You probably know that sickening feeling already. You've
           tightened a bolt almost as tight as it can go and you give
           it that one last twist "just for good measure" and then you
           feel the wrench spinning freely and loosely. You've stripped
           the threads. With our HTS-2000 brazing rod, you can complete
           your thread repair in minutes.

           The HTS-2000 is permanent, erosion resistant and can be done
           with any torch. Three times stronger and more flexible than
           the first generation rods, the thread repair made with our
           product is stronger than the original material.

           Simpler to use than Helicoil, our HTS-2000 brazing rod can
           repair threads for many automotive, aerospace, military and
           industrial applications. Unlike Helicoil, there are no
           inserts, taps, gages and tang break-off tools to mess with.
           As with Helicoil, though, you will most likely need an
           oversized drill bit to drill out the hole, first.

           Instead of placing inserts into the hole, use a torch and
           drop some off our high-tech brazing rod material right into
           the hole. Heat the steel bolt to 750-degrees or above and
           drop the bolt into the hole. Let the metal cool for 15 - 30
           minutes and then using a wrench, back out the steel bolt
           from the hole. Your thread repair is complete. You've just
           repaired a thread faster, more efficiently and stronger than
           a Helicoil thread repair.

           The HTS-2000 second-generation brazing rod requires no flux,
           is stronger than the base metal and melts at 500-degrees
           below that of aluminum. No welding machine is needed as any
           torch such as propane, butane, mapp, or an oxy-acetylene
           will do. For expert thread repair, you don't have to be
           expert to use our high-end brazing rod.

               See the video for more details.


The video is quite impressive.  Anyone have thoughts on this before I go
out tomorrow & buy some inserts?

Mark Rocky Mtn High


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