273: To Tap or not to Tap

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eekvonzipper

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I have a 273 in a '65 barracuda. One of the Fuel Pump Bolts is Stripped and spins
by hand in the hole (Leaks Oil)
Should I pull the Timing Cover Off and Drill and Tap the Hole
or Should I be looking for a Replacement Timing Cover?
It's the Old one with the Timing Marks on the Left Side...
Thank You!
-Eek

leak.jpg
 
You should be able to Heli-coil the threads without taking anything more off the motor than the fuel pump and maybe the alternator so you can see what you're doing.
 
Stuff a rag in the fuel pump hole REAL good. Drill to the appropriate size, then tap it with the heli coil tap. Put some blue locktite on the heli coil and install it. Let it cure for 24 hours. Done.
 
Rag is good, also lots of grease in the hole to catch shavings.

Yup. I always pack the flutes of the tap with axle grease. It's like a magnet for metal shavings. I've even done spark plug holes in heads ON the engine and caught just about everything......at least nothing remained that hurt the engine. It's one of those old school tricks that flat out WORKS.
 
If its the external bolt, heli coil is easy. i bet the bolt is too short, and 1/2 the threads are pulled out. Quick and dirty is a longer bolt and nut. I have had similar situations, and ground part of the nut to get it in line with the bolt.
 
You wont need to drill but if you do coat the drill with grease and the chips will stick in the grease, then coat the tap with grease and tap it out the chips will stick to the grease. Like tooljunkie said there might be more threads in there deeper if you look, maybe find a longer bolt but don't hit the timing chain !
 
I have a 273 in a '65 barracuda. One of the Fuel Pump Bolts is Stripped and spins
by hand in the hole (Leaks Oil)
Should I pull the Timing Cover Off and Drill and Tap the Hole
or Should I be looking for a Replacement Timing Cover?
It's the Old one with the Timing Marks on the Left Side...
Thank You!
-Eek

View attachment 1715592776
Left bolt or right one in the photo?
 
Usually see this happen when someone uses to short of bolts and pulls the first few threads out. You may get lucky and have enough threads left in the timing cover to use a longer bolt. If not my vote is the heli coil route. Also your timing marks are on the right side if the engine. You always refer to left and right from the drivers seat.
 
If its the external bolt, heli coil is easy. i bet the bolt is too short, and 1/2 the threads are pulled out. Quick and dirty is a longer bolt and nut. I have had similar situations, and ground part of the nut to get it in line with the bolt.

I've "saved" many holes by running the same size tap deeper in the hole and using a longer, full-thread bolt.
The last one was two broken bolts on my '09 Charger engine mounts. You sometimes have to trim the bolt length or add washers to adjust the length.
 
I've "saved" many holes by running the same size tap deeper in the hole and using a longer, full-thread bolt.
The last one was two broken bolts on my '09 Charger engine mounts. You sometimes have to trim the bolt length or add washers to adjust the length.
Yes! That's The Answer!! Going Out there to do This Right Now!!! Thank You!!!!
 
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