How to Repair Threads With A Heli-Coil Insert

Demonstrates how to repair damaged threads with a Heli-Coil brand thread repair insert.

[@EricRabuse]

My grandfather worked as a salesperson for Helicoil for years. He would drive coast to coast just to demo the product. Great video !

[@MrBadAssMofo]

It's alive! ALIVE!!! I have completed the the spark plug thread insert for my '95 Cutlass Convt. 3.4L & hell, it even runs smoother now than before! I both an Insert kit from Autozone for $30(not the helicoil kit, the INSERTS kit), and it took me about an hour. I got off a helluva lot better than the $300 the shop was gonna charge me. I even got the balls to take it up to 110mph(the day b4 they signed the Super Speeders law, LOL!). Dude, thanks a million, or, thanks a 270(the money I saved).

[@migastdi]

These are starting to get quite popular here in UK, i'm about to fit one on my caliper carrier, great video.

[@TroyaE117]

It's a good video. I have never used a helicoil. At the week-end I stripped the thread on a sump plug, and I drilled and wired the plug and used thread tape. I simply could not face another disassembly. The plug does not leak at all. Later in the year I will tackle it, but not right now. Best wishes... Troya.

[@Roadsideballoon]

Great video. I stripped out the clutch perch on my bike and it was suggested to me that I use a helicoil kit. I've never heard of them before, but after watching this I feel well-informed. GREAT video.

[@moonshade0227]

Nice to see a detailed demo. Thanks!

[@7drone7]

KZbin, at it's best. I wanted to see that procedure done properly before trying it. Thanks!

[@coolmanbhn]

Thanks mate! I'm facing problems with the treads in my waterbuffalo (Suzuki GT750) sylinder! The treads for sylinder 3 exhaust! This was just the "learning" needed! Rgards Bjarne from Norway!

[@marke14]

Thank you for posting this video. I partially stripped out part of my motorcycle's frame where the footpegs bolt in - I see a Heli-Coil set in my future.

[@aphex4000]

Great video! Clear, articulate, and well shot. I always wanted to see how these kits worked. Thanks :)

[@captainjamesster]

Thanks for the clip. Super clear and easy to understand.

[@nearpar]

Nice job on the video better than most here on youtube.

[@arthurleino]

Have done this on my Shovelhead exhaust stud insert. Only thing I would back the tap out after 4 or 5 turns to keep threads clean. And used cutting oil. Good video!

[@gserrano753]

Thanks for share your knowledge. Your instructions it help me a lot. Great vid!

[@justanneels]

Great video. I will be attempting my first heli-coil soon on my 42 harley.

[@Deepbluhuntr]

This sure was helpful, you're a good teacher sir ! Thanks a lot !

[@AimForTheBushes908]

Awesome video, thanks for making this!

[@tonelar415]

Thanks TCAT Autotech. Good explanation of the steps necessary. I forgot that the helicoil tools had the recommended drill size etched on the tap.

[@ceroehr100]

Great video! Exactly what I needed! Thanks bro!

[@AimForTheBushes908]

Awesome video, really appreciate it.

[@rinisugiarto844]

good one i glue the tang with a string, so when i break it, i can retreive it from the sump tank.

[@groundforce1]

Great video!

[@crxracr23]

thanks for the great vid. very helpful

[@RobertGary1]

Very educational. Thanks

[@JammieDodgerVlogger]

great how to video buddy!

[@imyour88]

Thanks for your response! I'm not going to do the work myself. I'm going to have a professional do it. I just want to make sure that it can be fixed and almost as good as new. As long as I know it can be fixed, I'll be happy.

[@TheDustysix]

one trick that bypasses the last resort helicoil is to take the damaged hole and clean and retap for the next larger metric for a standard bolt hole. the bolt will not have the same head, or thread pitch as the other fasteners doing the same job, but it frequently works.

[@ArtoDelFunko]

Thanks for this video. I pulled the threads on the final drive housing of a shaft drive bike, don't feel like paying $300 for a new one. Plus I've read that helicoils are stronger than the original aluminum which is good. The spec is 90Nm which I thought was too much for aluminum in the first place

[@nacnakah]

Thank you for helping me to learn from Turkey.(Bad time because i need Heli-Coil for Atlas Copco but Atlas Copco not product in Turkey.)

[@0121cole]

what a great & money saving video i stripped on of the slider pin bolts on a vw brakecaliper i would have just changed the caliper holder but cant due to the whole unit is in one it houses the shock absorber / wheel bearing & brake caliper assembly it would have cost a lot of money to change many thanks for the video

[@10Duser]

Nice one, good pro video. Thanks for uploading.

[@evilcowboy]

You can also weld a old socket or other piece of metal to it and try it that way. I have also had success with using a dremel if the bolt is out of the hole a little and cutting a slot and trying a screw driver with lots of penetrating oil. However the welding idea is better because it also adds heat to the area which will assist in getting the old bolt out. With out a welder you are stuck drilling with a nice strong drill bit as was posted by the video author.

[@Robinjo69]

Thanks for this video, really helpfull!

[@Paul83071]

that was very helpfull cheers

[@TheDraindeimo]

THANK YOU!!!!! ive been struggling with a stubborn fucked up one. im ordering this shit right now

[@MikeWrenches]

@mrmaxstorey Back in mechanic school, the trick they gave us to catch shavings when rethreading spark plug holes in place was to put the cylinder at bottom dead center compression and to fill it with shaving cream, rethread the hole and then just turn the engine over by hand, that'll push the shaving cream out the plug hole with the metal shavings.

[@ttcautotech]

Cold weather may have kept the JB from setting up. You might consider calling tech support for JB Weld. They might have suggestions as to what to do and may make other products that will work better. Also, look at other products. There are several two-part epoxys out there and one of them might work better. Lastly, consider removing the head and either replacing it or have it welded up and rethreaded.

[@SuperNovadose]

Hey thanks for the vid, do i need a special kit for aluminum heads. Thanks for your time

[@ttcautotech]

@billybb17 Yes. If the insert is longer than the hole, install the insert flush and then trim off the extra sticking out the backside. If you have a reallyt long hole and need the thread, I think they may have extra long inserts for some applications.

[@BUZDRIFT]

Excellent!

[@skiraf]

He was just speaking generally, for example, if you needed to use power-steering pump or alternator bracket to mount accessories to the block. You don't need an additional bracket to complete the thread repair. The repair was completed as shown in the video.

[@abbarr]

Excellent.

[@ttcautotech]

Absolutely, makes it much easier.

[@ttcautotech]

If the bolt broke off because it was rusted stuck, you'll be hard pressed to removed it without drilling it out and using a helicoil. There are easy-outs and screw extractors but I've had marginal success when the bolt is that bad. Try drilling it out with a bit slightly smaller than the bolt. If you stay in the center you may be able drill it out without ruining the original threads. Use a pick to clean the remaining pieces of bolt from the hole threads and then clean them up with a tap.

[@ttcautotech]

It will use the same size bolt as before. You are drilling the hole out slightly larger, but placing a thread insert back into the hole to restore it to the original size.

[@ttcautotech]

@BuickDoc Not sure which one is better as I've not used the timeserts very many times. The Helicoils have worked for everything I've used and so have the timeserts. The timeserts I have used have all been soild inserts for spark plug holes. They seem like they might have an advantage.

[@gst69man]

good vid.

[@hcb1700]

Great video. I need to install a helicoil for one of my water pump bolts on a chevy 350 engine. I need to figure out what size helicoil to use.

[@ttcautotech]

When looking for the size of the drill bit consider that it is drilling a hole for the insert, not the bolt. The drill bit will probably be a little bit bigger than the bolt that goes in the insert. Some insert brands are quite thick and will require a large bit. When indoubt look up the manufacturers website or see if there's a number on the package to call for help.

[@twostrokedowse]

Cheers for that!

[@ttcautotech]

The special helicoil tap has the drill size you should use stamped on the side. Use this size drill or as close to it as possible.

[@ttcautotech]

@dizzin9 Measure the diameter or thickness of the hreaded part not the socket head. If you're using an 18mm socket the shaft or threaded part will be smaller. If you can, take the bolt with you to the part store and they can help you get the right size.

[@pocketdiy]

Good video, but as i remember you turn the tap a little then turn it back which cleans the threads. If your doing a spark plug hole with the head is still installed, make sure the piston is all the way at the bottom. use grease on the drill bit and as you drill most of the metal shavings will stay on the drill bit.just dip the end of the drill bit in the grease. too clean the metal out of cylinder use a solvent like carb cleaner and very small magnet that is made in the tool. aluminum burns up,

[@ttcautotech]

@Mueiwark The helioil should be staked in place if its a solid insert like most spark plug inserts are. You might be able to unscrew it and apply some permatex red threadlocker to it. Screw it back in with the sparkplug an let the threadlocker dry. It should then stay in place while you unscrew the plug. Be carefull not to get any on sparkplug threads or the inside threads of the insert. After the plug is out take a small punch an stake the insert in place. If its a wire wound type, uh oh

[@ttcautotech]

Use a pick and work it under the wire at the top of the insert. Once you bend the wire of the insert in at the top, you should be able to grab it with needle nose pliers and work it out. You kinda have to "unwind" it out of the hole. Did the tang break off while installing it? If so, you may need to retap the hole a few times to make sure there are no burrs. Also make sure the hole is deep enough. The tap is tapered and the coil will bind in the bottom if you aren't careful.

[@MrBadAssMofo]

Fan-tabulous video! The drivers for audio on my computer are screw, and yet, I still PERFECTLY understood the directions. Question though.. I want to do it WITHOUT removing the head. While I am tapping the hole(LOL!), metal flakes will be falling into the cylinder, how do I assure that I get all of the shavings out before I install a new spark plug? Again, great, informative video.

[@ttcautotech]

@monsterrmann2244 Not sure what the set cost. We purchased the kit some time ago and now only purchase the inserts as we run out. Thread pitch is the measurement of how far apart or close together the threads are. In metric threads it is the distance between two threads. Thus, a 1.5 thread pitch would mean the threads are 1.5 millimeters apart. In SAE or "standard" bolts, the pitch is the number of threads found in one inch. For example a 3/8x16 bolt has 16 threads per inch.

[@charlesandalan]

By the way, I welded around a bolt that I would never need to remove again, ever. ... !! haha Also, if you have stripped threads and something that never needs to be removed again, you can use high strength two part epoxy. works great and saves a lot of labor.............. I did this with an old Subaru that I was driving into the ground. The next problem, it was going to the yard.

[@ttcautotech]

If you are going to use JB weld or some other bonding agent try to tap the hole first, even if you have to use a bigger tap. It'll gve the JB Weld something to grip to and wont be as likely to blow out. Also, JB Weld is kinda runny and usually takes a long time to set. Other brands may be easier to work with. Either way, allow the bond to set 24 hours before you start the car even if the package says "sets hard in XX minutes".

[@Weihrauch88]

Good video, heard it mentioned a few times and never understood it. If I were to use this on an exhaust manifold/head, and it was torqued up to about 8nm, would these helicoils be strong enough?

[@TylerFSAE]

Good Video! He seem to drill that hole pretty quickly? W

[@James-fr9sq]

Can that be done to cast iron heads?

[@mrmaxstorey]

@maddiebrad When I did this to a stripped spark plug hole in one of my motorcycles, I had a shop vac running the whole time right next to the hole I was stripping, and backed it out repeatedly to allow the shavings to get sucked out. Don't know if I got all the shavings out, but I did get most of them.

[@CoolSypherz76]

would this be good for a sparkplug repair?

[@imyour88]

Hey great video. Quick question. I just bought a used dirtbike to restore and I found a stripped thread on the frame where the old bolt seems to be rusted inside of the thread and broken off in their on its own. What would be the best method for getting the old rusted bolt out and getting that thread new and ready to accept a new bolt? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@ttcautotech]

@ahanix1988 It depends on the type and brand of insert. If it threaded out with the plug you should be able to install a new one of the same brand back in the hole. If its a solid insert (not a wire one) you should probably place some loctite or thread locker on it before you install it so it wont come back out again. TORQUE the plug! and maybe put antiseize on the plug's threads before installing it.

[@sainifabulous]

my oil return line threads are gone do you recommend doing this there? do you know a good place to buy helicoil for this size M12 X 1.50 they dont sell this size at napa or autozone

[@flyzone100]

How do you do the sizing for the drill?

[@pocketdiy]

@3SGEpower i never heard that shaving cream. but i left a comment, dip drill bit in wheel bearing grease. worked good for me. I like your comment thanks.

[@DJControllerC]

Do you recommend Cobalt drill bits?

[@ttcautotech]

@enrique28215 Yes, you must make sure the hole is the right size. The tang must be broken off, but may be left in as long as it doesn't interfere with the bolt.

[@selprocr]

When be needed a long thread, can be installed two inserts in the same hole ?

[@Mathewmartialart]

ok, so how do you solve the issue when the bolt is missing the and bolt next to it ISNT the same size? and how do you get the thing that breakes off if it doesnt come out by blowing it

[@reinhardtgoetz6794]

when you tap the hole with your tap you only turn one full turn and then back off the tap 1/2 turn to brake the cut "steel or aluminum" for the tap not to damage the thread!!! That's what the professionals do!!!

[@detaart]

Absolutely this!

[@Crnegrede]

The new hole you drill is it the same size as the bolt or a bit larger?

[@jonoalf1986]

Hey man, great video....Just overtightened a head bolt and need to do this to the block, once the helicoil is done do you use the original torque spec's? Or not as much?

[@robin1122211]

hey, why do you tap that small thing off the heli coil? greetz

[@pestface]

If you use a lubricant for turning in the insert, can you still use a thred lock glue or will it not take?

[@U3erpru7ser]

Is it a good idea to fasten the insert in the hole using thread lock?

[@D3CID3R]

will this have to same 'strength' as the oringinal thread before it was cross threaded? I have a caliper mounting bolt and im worried the insert will not be safe enough to work.

[@G.Davis67]

Hey, I'm doing the same size bolt. I have the thread insert, just wondering what size drill bit you used and which tap to use?

[@maynardsanpedro343]

can it hold a housing of injection pump of a medium speed engine with a pressure of 350 bars when injecting fuel

[@number1cherfan]

some rocker cover bolts are lloose on my gsxr 88. im going to use this method

[@MrBadAssMofo]

How bout this, I had a vision about it last night.. My spark plug is currently not in the car(95 Cutlass Convt, 3.4L). If I were to straighten a wire hanger and feed it all the way in until it touches the piston, I could figure out how much room I have to play with. If the piston was at the top of the cylinder, I could flick the ignition to make it go back down(each time I flick the ignition, I use the hanger to test the height to figure how much room I have to play with). What you think?

[@ttcautotech]

Ouch, I have have seen the thread insert come out when removing the plug, but the threads are usually ok and I reinstall a new insert. In your case, it sounds like you may have to replace the head or take it off and have a machine shop fix it. Another option is to check different brands of inserts and see if you can find a thicker insert that will work in your now enlarged hole.

[@jcon2358]

does this resize the hole, im confused?

[@BluePixelGaming]

I have partially stripped the threads from my sump. It still tightens (tight enough so that you cant untighten with your hand) but it is leaking oil slowly. Would a Heli-Coil do the job? When you tap the little piece off the end how would I get it out of my engine? Last thing I want is it to jam my Tappets/Valves or screw up my Oil Pump.

[@sharpshoota21]

I need to do this on vehicle. The threads for the rocker arm stud on the cylinder head stripped. I got a tap & insert set from Autozone, but the tap doesn't say the size drill, but the inserts say 13/32 drill bit. However, that drill size is awfully big. Is that right, or are there any other suggestions?

[@evoBOT2006]

break the little tahng out =D...nice video man tnx.

[@uhfnutbar1]

he`s a good old boy :) lol good video thank you

[@TheLightningStalker]

It works, but you might have trouble tapping it because the crank metal is so hard. You're going to have to take it to a machine shop to get the keyway recut anyway, so why not just have them do it.

[@charlesandalan]

I had this problem on an old Kawasaki GPZ I once had. (I don't like Kawasaki, any more, by the way. ;-) ). I cleaned it all up, surface rust, etc, and tack welded it instead, with an arc welder. This took half an hour and it was enough to get it through the inspection. Maybe this will be a possible alternative, if you have not fixed it yet...

[@Bedlamar]

@pbassred in this case you don't want the chips falling in the Engine best is to cover the tap in greese and not wind back

[@JujuiLuv]

hello , i have a question . I got a stripped bolt on an oil pan , I have some experience with machineshops , but I was wondering would it be possible to put left handed threads using a dye on the rounded head of the bolt and then try to crank it off . I dont remember , Its been years since I took a machine shop class , but no way in hell am I gonna pull my engine to replace an oil pan . What would your advice be .

[@MultiDevil1993]

if the only 8 mm also can use this way to repair?

[@BuickDoc]

What is stronger, the Helicoil or Time Serts?

[@Euphorica]

@ttcautotech anything you really need strong clamping force(like a head bolt). a time sert is better for that imo. helicoil gets the job done for most things though

[@pbassred]

I was taught to tap "one turn forward, and a quarter back." because you need to break the chip.

[@ttcautotech]

@TroyaE117 LOL. I've heard that alot. Most of our videos are spur of the moment with no rehearsing. I remembered the tap fluid when I was editing the video. Don't know why I didn't think of it during. Guess I was trying to not to screw up talking. lol.

[@CryptixGalaxy]

Is the little tang that you break off magnetic? Seeing as how I don't have access to shop air to blow the thing out I'm just curious if I can retrieve it with a magnet.

[@michaelsheppard9043]

+CryptixGalaxy The inserts are stainless steel, so I don't think the tang could be retrieved with a magnet.