My "Winter Project" on Casper (57 TR3) just got bigger...hmmm have
you heard this before. The plan was to replace the timing chain
cover gasket to stop an oil leak in the front of the engine.
Sooo I removed the front apron (surprise! NO rusted bolts), removed
the radiator, and lo and behold I am looking at the water pump that
has a large hole where a mounting bolt should go...now there is a
REAL oil leak. I removed the other mounting bolt to test the
threads, and sure enough the hole is stripped, or at least the bolt
won't catch easily, I decided not to try and force it...yet.
So...should I first try to re-tap the threads?(and risk metal inside
the engine) Is a helicoil the only answer? Or should I just get
another bolt and go for it?
Any advice appreciated, but I do NOT plan to powder coat the bolt...
--
Bill Pugh
aka Wily
1957 TR-3
aka Casper
TS16765L
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