Engine Block Help?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton
Engine Block Help?
Hi guys. This is my first post to this forum... i have been a passive reader for about the last year. I've learned a lot just by reading, and you guys are great at giving help. So i have started a rebuild of a 352 FE and run into a problem. (this is a learning process for me, as i'm a highschooler and have never done this before). I mounted the block on a stand yesterday thinking i'd used grade 8 bolts. Went to rotate it this afternoon, and the two bottom bolts sheared right out. Thank god the other two held and it didn't drop... scared me though. My problem is that when the two bolts came out, they stripped the holes on the block. It's one of the stands that mounts to where the transmission would be, and uses the same holes. I'm worried that if i take the block to a machine shop to get the holes re-threaded, they might just drill it out more which would make mounting it to a transmission difficult? Can they re-thread it without doing this, or what advice do you guys have to share? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks again,
Parker Clayton
Thanks again,
Parker Clayton
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,496
Likes: 2,810
Welcome to FTE!
You using the right size bolt? Correct thread? A grade 8 pulling out of an iron thread the depth of those for the bell mount would require quite a bit of force. What do the threads look like in those holes now?
You using the right size bolt? Correct thread? A grade 8 pulling out of an iron thread the depth of those for the bell mount would require quite a bit of force. What do the threads look like in those holes now?
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Near Nashille, TN
You (or the machine shop) can use a heli-coil kit to repair the threads in the block. This involves tapping the hole to a larger size, then inserting a threaded coil which brings the hole size back down to original.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Centralia, WA
My guess is the bolt was either not threaded in far enough or was the wrong size. Grade 8 bolts have six small lines on the head, one at each point. If there are only 3 then it's a grade 5. If the head of the bolt has a number on it (like 8.8) then it's metric and that's the problem. The other poster is right, grade 8 in an iron block would require a massive amount of force to break unless something else is wrong. A good machine shop can properly fix the threads.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton
wow, you guys are really quick at replying. looking at it again, you guys were right. they were the right size bolts (in diameter) but not long enough to thread through all the way, and definitely not grade 8. what a simple mistake to make. aghh
good suggestion with the heli-coil kit. i think that's the path i'm going to go down.
thanks again guys, i really appreciate all of the help
good suggestion with the heli-coil kit. i think that's the path i'm going to go down.
thanks again guys, i really appreciate all of the help
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
Glad you didnt seriously damage the block or for that matter, yourself. I have rebuilt a small block using a stand like that before but am a bit wary of bolting a big block to one, Survival Motorsports lists one for an FE, a "cradle" type for $85, looks interesting.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton
yeah, i have heard the horror stories of beautiful engines trashed by a cheap stand.
i think i got very lucky this time, that it did not hurt me or damage the engine.
i'm using an AC delco stand which is rated for 1000 lbs. as it is only the stripped down block right now (which a friend and I can lift easily) i'm not too worried about the stand itself.
i got a heli-coil repair kit today, and spent the evening repairing the threads. it worked perfectly. saved me from taking it to the machine shop. i now have grade 8 bolts that threaded perfectly, and with new threads, bolts and all, its back on the stand. needless to say, i'm a happy (and relieved) guy.
i think i got very lucky this time, that it did not hurt me or damage the engine.
i'm using an AC delco stand which is rated for 1000 lbs. as it is only the stripped down block right now (which a friend and I can lift easily) i'm not too worried about the stand itself.
i got a heli-coil repair kit today, and spent the evening repairing the threads. it worked perfectly. saved me from taking it to the machine shop. i now have grade 8 bolts that threaded perfectly, and with new threads, bolts and all, its back on the stand. needless to say, i'm a happy (and relieved) guy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
OrangeRanger
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jun 10, 2016 08:20 PM
officespace2
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
10
Dec 30, 2015 10:45 AM
arctic_driver
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Mar 22, 2015 04:38 PM
Tugly
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Sep 9, 2013 08:44 AM
