NOTHING CAN BE EASY!
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Joined: May 2011
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NOTHING CAN BE EASY!
Here we go...
Went and got new SD starter the other day. This morning went and pulled the bad starter off, no problems. Threaded the bolt in by hand, then put the wrench on and wrenched....and wrenched.....and wrenched....then realized that my dumba$$ cross-threaded it. My question is, should i get a new plate thing where the bolts go into or take it to a shop and have them retap the threads for a bigger bolt? The plate im referring to is the same one Talyn had a problem with in this thread....https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1120132
What to do, what to do...
Went and got new SD starter the other day. This morning went and pulled the bad starter off, no problems. Threaded the bolt in by hand, then put the wrench on and wrenched....and wrenched.....and wrenched....then realized that my dumba$$ cross-threaded it. My question is, should i get a new plate thing where the bolts go into or take it to a shop and have them retap the threads for a bigger bolt? The plate im referring to is the same one Talyn had a problem with in this thread....https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1120132
What to do, what to do...
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 3
From: Orrville, Ohio
What about having a helicoil put in so you can use the same size bolt? That way you wouldn't have to drill out the starter.
I don't know for sure what size you would need, but if you're not familiar with a helicoil, here is a link:
Metric Kit 9 x 1.25 - HEC-5546-9
I don't know for sure what size you would need, but if you're not familiar with a helicoil, here is a link:
Metric Kit 9 x 1.25 - HEC-5546-9
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 3
From: Orrville, Ohio
I would surely hope so. The only thing you might have a hard time with is getting a drill in there to drill it out straight, but I would sure as heck try everything I could think of before pulling the transmission just to put a helicoil in. If you have to pull the plate, I would take it to a welder and have them weld the hole shut then have a new hole drilled and tapped. The helicoil should allow you to avoid pulling the trans I would think.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 3
From: Orrville, Ohio
It's pretty simple really. You just drill the hole out to the size recommended on the package, tap the hole out to a larger size, the insert the helicoil with the tool supplied with the kit. They include a "wrench of sorts that goes inside the helicoil and the breaks off the tab used to install it once you get it in place. I would certainly give it a shot before I pulled the trans to remove the spacer. Worse case scenario, you screw it up beyond use and have to pull the spacer and take it somewhere to have the hole welded shut, re-drilled, and re-tapped to the original size. Seems to me like you don't have much to loose by trying it first. It's really not that difficult. Just do the best you can to keep the drill straight when you drill the hole.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
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From: Orrville, Ohio
If that's the one it is, honestly I would consider just leaving it out. Top and bottom bolts are all that holds the SD starter in anyway and they spin a LOT harder than a stock OBS starter does. If I am understanding you correctly the one that was cross threaded is the middle one? If you can do the helicoil I would, but if you can't, I would toss the bolt in the toolbox and just make sure the other two are tight, then call it a day. My gear reduction (SD style) starter is a bunch heaver than a stock unit and the top and bottom bolts have held it just fine.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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just did this...I drilled both plate and starter holes, tapped new threads and then threaded ready-rod with red Loctite into the plate....then I used lock washers and double nuts to tighten the starter...2 weeks and no probs....heli-coil didn't work for me....hth
edit to add: I had to find a short drill and grind the bit short to get the top hole drilled out...not much room but enough to avoid dropping the trans....
edit to add: I had to find a short drill and grind the bit short to get the top hole drilled out...not much room but enough to avoid dropping the trans....
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Napa is 2 miles up the road so ill start there. So the kits come in different sizes? If the bolt is 7/16, will the kit say it fixes 7/16, 3/8, etc? Sorry for the questions, but thanks for all the help.