stunthanger.com

Engine basics => Engine set up tips => Topic started by: RknRusty on December 05, 2015, 12:54:44 PM

Title: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: RknRusty on December 05, 2015, 12:54:44 PM
One of the head bolts in my fp40 is stripped. I want to ask before I assume the right thing to do. I'm thinking either bore and tap it for a 3.5mm bolt, or install a helicoil for the original 3mm bolt. The latter would be my preference. I don't know anything about thread pitch so I want to make sure I can get a bolt back in after fixing the hole. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Rusty
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: rich gorrill on December 05, 2015, 02:31:20 PM
Hi Rusty, I'm assuming it's an allen head bolt that stripped? If so aren't small size easy outs available. Maybe a little heat, a little break oil and the easy out would be a viable way to go.

Rich
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: bob whitney on December 05, 2015, 03:45:56 PM
 i assume u mean the case is stripped ,i would tap it out to the next bigger size bolt. not a fan of helicoils
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: RknRusty on December 05, 2015, 03:59:45 PM
I'm going to tap it for a 4-40 since I don't have a metric tap. Thanks for the replies.
Rusty
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: Tim Wescott on December 05, 2015, 05:10:11 PM
I'm going to tap it for a 4-40 since I don't have a metric tap.

Ewwww.

I'm not sure that there will be enough meat in the hole for a 4-40 tap to do much good -- you may just end up ruining the case completely.

'course, they're still available on eBay for not too much, so it may not be that bad of a deal.
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: RknRusty on December 05, 2015, 05:57:39 PM
I think there's enough, but I can look at it and tell before I foul it up.
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: RandySmith on December 05, 2015, 06:40:02 PM
You will need  tap for a 5-40 or a 3.5mm  a 4-40  will not work

Randy
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: Carl Cisneros on December 05, 2015, 06:50:18 PM
DO WHAT RANDY SAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

not enough meat there for a 4-40 tap to bite into.

ask me how I know,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,



Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: Dane Martin on December 05, 2015, 08:12:08 PM
Rusty, pm me your address
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: RknRusty on December 05, 2015, 09:19:53 PM
Dane, PM sent.

Randy, I know enough around here to pay attention to you on engines. I'll talk with my local engine man more about this before I proceed with the job. Thanks for your input.

I wish I had a 5-40 tap, I have plenty of black oxide hex bolts. I use them for deep reach prop bolts on my Cox engines.
Rusty
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: Robert Zambelli on December 05, 2015, 09:29:24 PM
Rusty - I'm pretty sure I have a 5-40 tap if you need one.

For what it's worth, I have done quite a few heads with 4-40 helicoils and never had a problem.

  Bob Z.
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: RknRusty on December 05, 2015, 10:13:37 PM
Rusty - I'm pretty sure I have a 5-40 tap if you need one.

For what it's worth, I have done quite a few heads with 4-40 helicoils and never had a problem.

  Bob Z.
Okay, thanks Bob. If you'll bring it next time we fly, I'll put this plane aside and finish the job at the field. What do I need for a drill bit, 3/32, 7/64, in that neighborhood?
Rusty
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: Bill Johnson on December 06, 2015, 11:09:16 AM
Okay, thanks Bob. If you'll bring it next time we fly, I'll put this plane aside and finish the job at the field. What do I need for a drill bit, 3/32, 7/64, in that neighborhood?
Rusty

My helicoil chart shows a #31 or a 3mm drill bit for the hole size.
Title: Re: repairing a stripped head bolt hole in an fp40
Post by: RknRusty on December 06, 2015, 12:18:32 PM
My helicoil chart shows a #31 or a 3mm drill bit for the hole size.

Bill, I just re-checked and that's about right. It was too late last night to be trying to think, when I posted my drill size guess. I was looking at the wrong row on the chart.

Thanks for the reply, I think I've got it from here.
To prevent my saying anything else dumb, I'm closing the thread.
Rusty