Fixing Bolt Holes With No Threads, Stripped Threads & Really Crooked Threads

[@SouthMainAuto]

Lots of choices out there for thread repair kits on the web. Personally I have used Time-Sert (The best IMO) and I have used a LOT of Helicoil brand and have had great luck with them as well. I see a lot of off brands on Amazon that have really good reviews too. Do your research, take your time then just get after it! Best of luck to ya! -Eric O. *Heli-Coil 5546-8 M8 x 1.25 Metric Coarse Thread Repair Kit* : amzn.to/3Iwt6Dl

[@TorqueTestChannel]

Helicoils are miles stronger than they have any right to be just being some stainless wire

[@cesardavrieux3767]

@@CedroCron

[@georgenice]

Thumbs up for time sert..... They also do another one called big sert for that completely screwed up hole ...

[@j_osh9]

I always use grease in the grooves of the thread tapper to catch and hold bigger alot of aluminum while re-threading. Usually something tacky like bearing grease. But I still consider myself just above a novice in this area. But got to start somewhere!

[@Samsquamsh]

@@CedroCron RIP ya old man. And Go Team Canada.

[@49oldmachinist43]

Eric, I'm a retired machinist, done many helicoils. You did a great job, I hope the customer knows how much money you saved him.

[@tmackinator]

40+ yrs as a machinist, nice job. WD is a great cutting fluid for aluminum BTW. This shows the difference between a bolt turner and a master mechanic.

[@Samsquamsh]

What's wrong with being a bolt turner? At least I am willing to fix my own truck lol. I ain't trying to fix no one else's bidness.

[@georgeburns7251]

40+ yrs as a fisherman, nice job. I think Western Digital is great too.

[@tmackinator]

@@Samsquamsh That was meant as a compliment to someone who really deserves it not a cut to a DIY'er.

[@jmaxim80]

exactly

[@robertfitzgerald3432]

Amazing Mechanic ! Followed SMA for years now, Eric should consider becoming a Teacher after he retires.

[@kenwiggins2699]

35 years as a machinist and I say you did an excellent job.

[@AzrockOmegaMan]

That is Excellent work! I SO appreciate the tutorial on helicoils by a master on the subject. Even included the nearly worst case scenario of a broken bolt remant drilled through, and still stick in the head. Removed safely, and work piece rescued. A real proffesional job!

[@delano62]

Machinist here. Great job. I know how hard this can be.

[@gregeconomeier1476]

I left the Michigan rust belt 43 years ago for a variety of reasons. Watching SMA videos reminds me of one of those reasons.

[@oldretireddude]

You sir, are the Bob Ross of the automotive repair world!🍻

[@markh.6687]

"We'll put a schmerz of WD-40 right here in this little hole..."

[@wornoutwrench8128]

Where would us mechanics be without thread inserts. Saved my a$$ many times. When I was just starting my career wrenching had to drill out a manifold stud on an old Detroit Diesel. Can't remember what series it was but when the drill went through the end of the stud, antifreeze came pouring out of the hole. I thought I had drilled into the water jacket. Turns out, some of the studs were open on the back to the antifreeze. Hell of a surprise, hell of a surprise.

[@donmunro144]

The hoist is priceless for a job like this. It's much more difficult when you're doing a headstand to try to see.

[@mph5896]

x10😆. I just did one of these Chevys on a hoist, amazing. I did these jobs for years on the ground.

[@shadetreemech290]

You put that much time and effort into that old junk truck? If it weren't for the video and the hundreds of us out here it would have been a waste of time. But, everyone out here got something out of that. And I got a lot. Great work.

[@SourBogBubble]

Back seating a thread is what ive learned with building computers. Was always scared of cross threads etc. with these tiny expensive fers. So one day on a tech channel a guy mentioned it and it's erased my cross threading fears I've had all my life.

[@AdmissionGaming]

What is back seating???

[@SourBogBubble]

@@AdmissionGaming so add the screw to said threaded hole. Now rotate the screw backwards until u hear an Audible click(Very noticeable even on the tiniest of screws) you are now fully seated in the thread, no more cross threads. 😎🤙🦅

[@marossgnv]

I've done this for decades. Absolutely awesome tip.

[@undecidedmiddleground5633]

I'm a fellow IT nerd, I've done this method for more decades than I care to mention, but I never knew there was a name for it. Thanks for that.

[@rickwoods5384]

I was taught to do this by my mechanic father. One day picking up parts at the NAPA counter, I was checking the fit of new part to mating part that I had brought along and of course starting rotating it ccw to find the start of the thread. The men behind the counter had a good laugh thinking that I did not know the correct righty tighty rotation. I attempted to explain, but they were laughing too hard to hear what I was saying.

[@Jeff_C_2112]

Thanks Mr. and Mrs. O for keeping the banter right there on the cutting edge of "family friendly"...🤣 Also - splendid series on how to slowly proceed out of a rather fugly situation - thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@raypeoples]

The ingenuity,craftsmanship,patience, labor involved in this repair was worth more than the vehicle, imo!!

[@robertjeffery6100]

As a Machinist I think it’s fun watching you do your job…. By the way Great Job

[@WildXNatur]

I watched Sixtyfive Ford's channel, and he drilledout the hole two sizes larger, then threaded it for that size bolt. Next, he put a bolt in after messing up the threads a little and added red lock tight. Then he used a die grinder to cut the bolt off flush. After putting the cover or, in your case manifold back in place to hit center he drilled and tapped for the original thread size.

[@peterhodgkins6985]

Masterfully done Eric! I've struggled with bolt fragments in real ugly situations... Aluminum makes it a tad easier in some ways, but experience and (as you said) assessment of each damaged hole is the key. You always do what great technicians do - You make it look easy.

[@jerrygillette854]

Your patience and problem solving skills are the best. Great video and explanation of what you are doing and why.

[@for2utube]

I use Time-Sert instead. I had too many problems with Heli-Coil in soft aluminum. Glad to see you can get them to work.

[@joemehere1151]

Actually Eric, that was some fine work to salvaged the head, especially the crooked/botched up semi-drill bolt one. Thanks

[@darkerbinding6933]

Nice job. It's great to see you buying your customers time. I'm sure they love you.

[@bw6078]

You make a silk purse out of that sow's ear. Another successful repair and happy customer.

[@timothyroe5020]

Always a pleasure to learn from you. Thanks forctaking the time to take us along. Personally, I like the series videos like this one. I save them in case I need ( umm, when I need) them later.

[@russelladams7053]

I love how you manage to still take pride in your work on vehicles like that

[@mk88200]

Every now and again when you say "if I can do it, you can do it" I think, "yea I can do that" This time... not so much - you are the man, great work.

[@precisionautodiagnosticsre8109]

Harder to catch than a seeker on Harry Potter, lmao........ I laughed until my belly hurt... I love your videos Eric O. Been a subscriber for 4yrs. Your alignment on the s10 video was the first automotive video I watched on youtube after i got out of Automotive Technology School and got my student ASE certifications. I love your diagnostic videos, but i have learned ALOT of tricks from you that has been a life saver when i do side jobs. Plus i buy Astro Pnuematic( amazing tools) cause of seeing you beat them to death and they keep on doing there thing. Keep up the amazing work. God Bless you and your family...

[@chuckgrenci6404]

Excellent tutorial on heli-coils, AND, adapting and overcoming. (only tip I have, and it wouldn't have affected the outcome in any case, would have been to put a dab of grease on the mini-screwdriver to show us (all) the heli-coil tab) 😉

[@thefretfiend]

When I was a mechanic in a Norton motorcycle dealership, I disassembled a lot of Norton motorcycle engines. All the threaded holes on the aluminum engine components had helicoils already installed. They came that way from the factory. Helicoils are much better than aluminum threads.

[@johnz8210]

That was great, thanks. Remember the Mopar 318's that the end studs went into the coolant passage? I think the first time somebody does one of those there's a WTF moment.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Heck even doing an alternator on them you had water pumping out the holes. Haha I remember the first one I did. Thought for sure I broke it 😂

[@itslee253]

Eric whatever your working on you make it look like a walk in the park!!!! Your ability to repair anything that rolls in the shop is just astonishing.also the entertainment factor always finds it way in your videos .as always perfection…

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

As "the guy" who got to do the thread repairs, this was an excellent tutorial. So many people don't break off the installation tang. I have to point out the importance of using genuine "Heli-Coil" brand, or at least it used to be. The brand name has probably been sold and the kits cheapened by now. The original kits included the drill and a bottoming style tap, both of which were quality steel and an installation tool that has full threads. The cheap knock off sets often don't include a drill which is often an odd size that people don't normally have. It needs to be a quality drill because you don't want to break it off in the hole. The cheap sets often have a tap that is tapered too far down so the threads aren't full to the bottom of the hole. They include an installation tool that isn't threaded so the coil will screw into the tapered hole then the bolt wedges when it is installed. I've used those kits because many places just carry the cheap kits. I've ground the tapered end so I could get the threads to full depth. Usually the taps with the cheap kits will dull quickly and you can only use them to install the number of inserts that came with the kit.

[@jdwise1279]

Another great lesson from a master mechanic. Love your videos, especially when someone else "fudged" it up!

[@gregscott9170]

Retired machinist. Did a LOT of Helicoils on Porsche heads. Great tutorial Eric. 👍

[@mikemaccracken3112]

We did a ton of these exhaust manifold bolt repairs. The bolts that were broke off below the surface we would build up them up with weld and then weld a nut on it. Great job as usual Eric.

[@throttlebottle5906]

"can you fix my leaking exhaust manifolds?" Answer: Nope, I'm not an exhaust shop(meaning no I wont work on your heap of junk for hours, take to to someone else) 🤣🤣🤣 the perks of not being an actual daily wrenching shop, now my own or maybe a friends every now and then, sure.

[@gungadinn]

For holes that are really buggered up that have previously had a Heli-Coil installed, you can drill an over sized hole for a Keensert. It's about 25% larger in diameter than a Heli-Coil. Instead of a spiral of wire, it's a solid metal plug with threads. Provided you have straight access, use a "ShotGlass" which sits flush with the surface and takes a removable drill bushing. For LS engines, I made a drill plate of half inch ground stock which bolts to existing good threads. There are removable drill bushings which act like the ShotGlass, but allows the use of a right angle drill. Normally I'd use Jig Plate, but I'd have to cut and machine it square, verses ground stock that is ready to use. I suppose I'm going to make one of the plates for the 5.7, 6.2, and 6.4 liter Hemi engines, as my next truck is going to be Hemi powered.

[@daveh7587]

Then you can pull the head anyways when (not if) you have to put new lifters and a cam in it. 🤦‍♂

[@bryankirk3567]

We got the oversized "metal plug" jobs from a company called "Zebra" in Africa. I was, like you, the go-to Helicoil guy.

[@bryankirk3567]

Addendum :- I worked on Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki motorcycles then. I started out on Cats.

[@ryanalexander984]

Skilled enough to use a thread chaser on a swivel socket attached to a wobble extension on an electric impact. I guess when half your holes are already messed up, what’s the worst that can happen. Great video.

[@lanzarlaluna]

I'm a shade tree mechanic that has used this twice on a stripped water pump bolt on a Dodge Ram and and stripped water pump bolt on an Acura Legend. Worked great both times!

[@DeluxeR71]

800k Subscribers!!! Good Job Eric

[@nonyabiz2777]

Mrs O is the queen of snappy comebacks. Bravo team S.M.A nice. Thank you for another great video.

[@dougs6460]

Rainman needs your services. . . he just broke off an extractor in a bolt hole. You are The Master!!!

[@jamesrobinson3796]

Great job, Eric, You took the time and made the effort to repair the older truck. I am sure the customer appreciates that. Personally, I have no problem paying you what you're worth when the job is done right.

[@Cronin149]

This was an amazing video and the reason I watch every video you make. I have never seen that before and it was great. You not only do it but you explain it which makes the difference. Trade schools should pay you to use your stuff. Thanks.

[@dougbourdo2589]

Very well done. I have done Many Heli-Coils over the years when I was a tractor mechanic. None of them were in aluminum. They are truly a quality method of salvaging a bugared threaded hole.

[@timothyodonnell8591]

I absolutely love the verbal analysis / troubleshooting and the problem solving that goes with the fix. Eric's play-by-play of what's going on is what keeps me watching and brings me back for the next one.

[@brentmcgillis]

Yet another Super install by the master mechanic Eric O. 99% of mechanics would simply refuse to fix other peoples hack jobs on an Engine head. Most would simply replace the head, with a salvage jobby most likely. But Eric is no common mechanic, he is the man when it comes to affordable repairs of a Chevy that should have been crushed into beer cans years ago. At a dealership, you will find NO mechanics like Eric, they only do R+R (Remove and replace things like new cylinder heads). Great fix, great channel of watching a Master tradesman showing us how it is done correctly, and always with a salute to those jobs that we never seen, but that may have humbled him.

[@grifonks]

Thanks for the video! Today I spent a couple hundred bucks on a m10x1 Time-sert spark plug insert kit because Stihl is now using the smaller spark plugs. I was afraid to just buy the helicoil kit. The time-sert has a starter tap for the blown threads then it shelves to m12, the insert size. The arborist company owner asked me how a saw could spit out a plug. It's always fun telling an equipment owner that someone removed the plug and didn't retighten it. It is doubtful that I'll ever recover the tooling cost as the govt forces battery equipment down our throats.

[@Mike_Engel]

Master Mechanic is the ONLY way to describe you Eric.... Great Job man.. Love your Videos

[@squirrelcovers6340]

A master mechanic at work. Excellent.

[@anonymuswere]

that's what you call perfect timimg, finding one that had literally every main scenario. and congratulations on 800K subscribers!

[@nickvogel7934]

Gotta give Eric kudos for keeping it PG in Ship High In Transit jobs. Inspirational to my garage time!

[@wrenchman3702]

Great job Eric! You have a unwavering confidence! Years of professional experience! Love yiur sense of humor

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice job Eric! Saved a cyl head replacement. Got lucky with the botched bolt hole but that's where years of experience come in. Fixed my share of broken bolts & botched holes but like you said I had a lot of experience early on learning how to fix my own messes. 😆

[@martijn-vels]

Doing God's work, one stripped out hole at a time. I salute you, master of the corrosion belt!

[@williamkraft5574]

Eric, I'm very impressed with how you attacked three different scenarios. You did a great job explaining everything that was wrong, how you were going to approach each individual bolt, and then how to fix them once removed. Great job as always.

[@trhmlton9293]

Watching a surgeon at work! Outstanding, thanks for sharing your knowledge brother

[@2chipped]

Nice job with the penetrent. Its good you didn't need to cut out the bad spots and add a jug. Bought my first non-virgin 2nd fix at western auto circa 1988 when i was 13. As a flatland Southerner,am glad i never had to deal with rust and corrosion from frost heave. "If we're lucky" !

[@Danzilly]

Morning! Eric! Thanks for your patience showing how to fix somebody's screw up's!

[@timmar1849]

Man, you make it look so easy! Amazing, simply amazing!

[@garymeredith2441]

Excellent Helicoil video there sir judging by the rest of the truck the truck will probably be ready for Wilbert's in about 6 months but you keep going and that Helicoil job was the best one I've seen .

[@brandonsimunac]

Just did a heli-coil on my transmission case for the pan. Massive pain, but worth it to do it right in the long run. Awesome tutorial!

[@mattbrown5511]

Your skills of fiing this mess is still cheaper than replacing a head or two on this crap box. Well done as always Eric.

[@bassiclymike]

Well done! That was borderline sorcery getting that last one un-caddywompused and properly helicoiled

[@rossG1221]

O Eric O! - I laughed so much when you dropped the tang ..for the second time! ...I was waiting for the "Gosh Dang it" - and you delivered! Superb.

[@TimfromAlabama]

Down in Alabama we say, "It's harder to catch than a fart in a dip net"...LOL. Good work, Eric. Too bad you're not closer and can straighten Ray out with his Subaru with a broke bolt so he doesn't worry. Still say you should move south away from the salt and that PRNY mess up there. Like, right here in central Alabama so I can get you to work on my stuff. Still, take care and have a great week and weekend.

[@rharris7635]

Morning class with Dr. O. It just does not get any better than this!

[@arthurweidner3990]

I've repaired several bolt holes that were botched by a previous drill attempt that were off center and had a sliver of old bolt in them by using a big gator tools drill guide to guide the drill bit back on center, then finishing with a helicoil. The repair turned out great!

[@pookatim]

God so loved the backyard mechanics he gave us heli-coils.

[@Mcgiever100]

Glad it was all yours to fix and not me for a change, nice work.

[@trotva]

Way above my skill level. Then again, I'm not a mechanic. Enjoyed the video so much. I love the ones that are detailed like this. Of course, the commentary is top notch.

[@truthsmiles]

If it helps that last hole was particularly bad. Most of us wouldn’t have had nearly the great outcome Eric did. Frankly I half expected him to commit to a larger bolt and helicoil, and just drill out the exhaust manifold to accommodate it. That’s probably what I would have done haha

[@LeverPhile]

If he can do it, you might be able to ... get good at it eventually.

[@mr.weaver2682]

Good thread repair Sir! I enjoy your videos. If people get worked up using an impact to drive a tap you would hate seeing vehicles being made. Lots of cross threads going on - all the time. The worst thing is when assembly breaks a tap in a blind hole.

[@Todd66]

If Eric was a MMA fighter, he would be in the UFC and be in the top 5, probably a champ. He’s so well rounded as a mechanic. In the beginning I wondered if him not being a car guy was a minus, but I think that gives him more of a advantage than disadvantage. I swear I learn something in every video, and I watch every video. I enjoy when E get’s on a “let’s see how many people we can upset” roll. I also dig the quotes and all the commentary….“Enhance, enhance”, “There’s your problem Lady”, honk…”hey, it’s that guy”, “push, push, push” Years ago when I found this channel, I remember liking how he ended the videos…”Remember viewers, If I can do it, you can do it”. For some reason that really resonated. I knew after the first video, if I was working on my vehicle, I would find a SMA video on it and watch it before and during my work. I’ve not just learned about automotive withe SMA, Eric is good people and there is ALWAYS things to learn from good people.

[@kwmiked]

Thanks for coming in today Fella 🤙

[@ravedge7042]

You made my day Eric O. I was having a bad day until you started to show us the tab on the heli-coil. Thank you for being you!

[@Smacke1963]

800K Ive been here since.. well let's just say near the very beginning.. always been a fan and your success is attributed to your fine work but also a likable personality.. the kinda guy you'd enjoy having a beer with.. continued success sir

[@GTCGreg]

A truck literally held together with bailing wire and duct tape. Love it!

[@CodycoWeb]

Have saved many rocker boxes and covers where bolts have been broken or holes stripped out or cross threaded on Harley Davidson twin cam engines. Taking your time and making sure alignment is correct is critical but with a little practice fixing bolt holes isn’t that scary. Great job doing these and explaining your methodology.

[@rogerbasker6970]

Wicked Eric! I liked the comment you made on fixing screwed up holes is I messed up a lot of them myself. Thanks for taking us along. Have a great day!

[@ronwatson4902]

I love how you gave equal time and attention to each and every hole. Unheard of! Thanks for your dedication to the craft.

[@jameshollingsworth4714]

I see that displacing the water is a key element in helicoil success. great video.

[@drummin2dabeat]

Great video. You really allowed us to get in there and see things in great detail. I just had a mechanic fix a water pump from the top instead of the bottom, and apparently they screwed up removing the exhaust manifold (broke the bolts) and put a new one one. He handed me the old cast iron one when I picked the car up. I am wondering if I can sell it but I have to figure out how to get one of the holes cleared and threaded and this video will help me if I decide to do that.

[@cammer68oliver2]

I guess if all else fails, you could always weld it shut and re-drill it. Lol. Great job as always! Love your content man.

[@davewallace9048]

Fixing problems like that it’s all about confidence and patience and you have both!! Love your videos!!

[@jesstreloar7706]

Excellent job, Eric. 35+ years and only once did I ever drill straight down the bolt free hand. I have saved that piece and have it on my key ring.

[@joemalone9380]

i hope your customer appreciates what you do for them as much as I do watching you and learning this . .

[@terencehawkes3933]

I would have simply declared that block scrap. Bravo to you! You are really good!!! Whoever did that job before you got in should have their license taken away!

[@Fjord_Driver]

Fixed mine many moons ago now. 2001 F150. Used a metal plate drill guide setup. Had to get short drill bits in order to fit in the space. Didn't have a welder, but a mini torch and some solder for a stud sticking partly out. Filled that nut with solder. Bashed the crap out of it with a hammer to flatten the solder pile as much as possible to jam it into the nut threads. Worked. Installed US made stainless studs and nuts with nickel anti-seize. No problems since. And new OEM Ferd exhaust gaskets. I can't say it was a fun job. But I can say if I never get the chance to do it again, I won't be sad.

[@drbrono]

What a great mechanic! You do every job as though it were your own car.

[@johnjames432]

Most excellent job MR O. I also find that left hand drill bits are a plus to aid in the removing of said bolts.

[@MickayG]

Eric teaching Ray how to save the Subaru 😂😂

[@DainSmart-vm7pc]

Lol ray hasent got the patience but he's a good mechanic oh it's about time he cleaned his toolbox up his tools are everywhere lol. Ps its a scooby doo they have great a engine until they break then its a nightmare 😢

[@petermallow]

No doubt Eric could teach Ray many things

[@markB40]

Anybody can replace parts but it takes knowledge and skills to repair parts

[@richardsmith2721]

Poor Ray has lost his mind. He's now doing oil flush videos on one of Troy's junk Jeeps.

[@DainSmart-vm7pc]

@@richardsmith2721 what do you do for a living apart from trolling?

[@Deadbuck73]

Good Morning SMA!

[@rick980]

Another informative video. I have had to use those twice in my 60 years on the planet, once believe it or not in a 98 Durango brake caliper. All i can say is it worked and it was traded in before i had to do brakes again.

[@jeremyalbert2069]

oh blue point / snap on mini air die grinder with the mini carbide bits work good too for getting in the bolt holes to grind out the helicoils or the damaged bolts or broken taps , so that you dont damage threads or head , this tool has saved my butt many times !!!

[@sargefreedom1578]

Patience id a virtue, and a money saver

[@josephking6515]

Do the fine people of Avoca realise how extremely fortunate they are to have you as their mechanical and auto electrical/electronic engineer? Just incredible. 👍👍👍(one each for mechanical, auto electrical and auto electronic engineer)

[@jsj297]

Mr. O the ASE certified Master hole plugger. Nice 👏👏👏

[@stationaryenginesworldwide]

Great finish Eric .you truly have some patience and skills .kudos my friend.

[@rossG1221]

oh, and also, I enjoy your channel charting a real shop, with its real life problems, including real life stuff - real rust buckets (toilets..), phones ringing, compressors compressing, mowers mowing, and all that shistle.. - Bravo.

[@bobhudson6659]

Not bad. You did well. There are other larger OD forms of insert which recover the hole even better but then they are significantly more expensive and time consuming. As you indicated this repair will outlast the rest of the truck. You might also consider 2D and 3D helicoils instead of the standard 1.5D helicoils, with longer bolts, if the start of the hole has been chowdered out. Look up what 2D and 3D means if you (and viewers) are not sure what that means. Retired mechanic/machinist in Land Down Under.

[@mattmanyam]

1.5 x (bolt diameter) 2 x (bolt diameter) 3 x (bolt diameter) Once you reach 1.5x bolt diameter (for any fastener), the surface area of thread engagement is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bolt, and should (in theory) be stronger than the bolt. As loose as helicoil fit is, this is less true, because the loose fit means there's less surface area engaged on the threads. 99.9% of the time, 1.5d inserts will be plenty sufficient.

[@lisamcqueen8509]

Nice work as always! Time Serts are my favorite, too! Did alot of repair work on aluminum pnuematic tools, auto industrial maintenance. Have a Great Day! Steve

[@GeminiSeven43]

As a maintenance tech there is nothing more cringe worthy that when someone "Helps" you with a broken bolt and cross drills the hole to where the bolt will no longer turn out......AAARRRRGGGG!!!! Just because someone has a drill does not mean they are qualified to use it. Great video Eric and you definitely have a way with repairs of the frustrating kind. Thanks so much!!!!