I have an 83 f250 with a 351W engine. P/S pump is leaking badly....It is the one with the smaller pump and plastic reservoir. Went to back out the large bolt on drivers side holding the "swing' part of the bracketand the insert in the head came out with the bolt. It's pretty large and welded to the bolt. Can one of you guys tell what size the insert is and where the hell do I get one. I think the through bolt is 7/16 coarse about 5 or 6 inches long. Any info will be helpful.... Thanks again

 

Please define "welded". Do you mean this mystery insert had inadvertently seized to the bolt after installation, due to corrosion? Or had the insert been deliberately joined to the bolt before installation, such as with a MIG welder? I'm not trying to bust your chops, but do want to make sure I understand the situation.

I'm thinking the former (seized by corrosion) but who knows what kind of repair somebody may have done over the years. I had that bolt out on my truck ('84 351W) and don't remember any insert in the cylinder head, but then again I wasn't looking. Most bolts into cast iron don't need inserts, so it seems somebody has done a repair.

Any chance you could just thread everything back together as is? If the insert is still firmly attached to the bolt (deliberately or not), it would be no different than running a bolt into female threads in cast iron. Think of it as an oddball bolt with oversized threads at the end.

If the insert needs to be replaced, you will have to match the style used. The hole has already been drilled oversized and rethreaded. This page shows the two main styles of inserts available:

https://www.ezlok.com/threaded-inserts-for-metal

The outside of the solid wall style has a different Thread Per Inch (TPI) than the bolt on the inside. With the coiled style, the TPI is the same. Since the hole in the cylinder head has already been reworked, you'll have to match what is there.

Most good hardware stores carry threaded insert kits. By "good", I mean the kind of store with a guy behind the counter who has worked there since the Nixon administration. Stay away from the big box home improvement store where all the hardware comes in blister packs and you have to ride the shuttle tram between departments. "Next stop, garden supplies and paint. Please stay seated with your safety belt fastened until the tram has come to a complete stop."

Most good auto part stores carry them, too. By "good", I mean...

 

The insert has seized to bolt.....I think it's a 5/8-11 external thread and a 7/16-14 internal thread. I just remembered that EZ lok makes the insert I'm looking for. Was just conferming the external thread size. Have to cut the bolt to get it out of the bracket....Thanks for the help....

 

Same as thermactor plugs. See below.

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performa...51495/10002/-1

 

Pic: Ford C-II P/S pump introduced in 1978 on everything except 1978/79 Passenger Cars with Hydro-Boost & Econolines.

Has a plastic reservoir, P/S pressure hose attaches to the pump w/a qwik connect fitting.

 

I remember reading on here before that the insert is still available from Ford. As far getting a part number for it, I don't know if it would show up as part of the cylinder head assembly, or part of the power steering pump mounting bracket(s) assembly. I'll see if I can find the thread I saw it in.

 

Found this post below by Number Dummy not all that long ago listing the part number and that the plugs are indeed obsolete. My bad. I thought I read a post on here somewhere stating they were still available. In any case, they're readily available aftermarket.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...5&postcount=16