Stripped thread

[Robbie693]

Hi,

The thread for one of my thermostat housing bolts has stripped. I'm wondering if the bolt was long enough as it only seems to engage in the first 3 or 4 turns of the thread.

I need to get the car mobile so I take it to get a helicoil inserted and was hoping I could put in a longer bolt.

Can anyone tell me the correct size of the bolt please, diameter and length, so I can tell if mine are too short?

Cheers

Robbie

[garyeanderson]

robbie

The parts manual lists it as hex bolt 5/16" diameter x 15/16 long UNC

This is a bit of odd size but its in the manual. You ought to buy a parts manual, it really saves you time, money, and agrevation, I bought one 20 years ago and brought it to work early one morning and copied the whole thing. The next week returned it to Don at Tingles Lotus center, Don knew it was coming back and sold it to me that way as then he didn't have to look up al of those part numbers for me...

Gary

[steveww]

It is easy enough to fit a helicoil or similar yourself. If you are in the UK Namrick sell the coil kits.

[ppnelan]

The Parts List says they are XUCS 0515 = Hex UNC Screw 5/16" x 15/16" long.

[Edited] Ooops! Got there too late...

Matthew

[garyeanderson]

The Parts List says they are XUCS 0515 = Hex UNC Screw 5/16" x 15/16" long.

[Edited] Ooops! Got there too late...

Matthew

There are quite a few odd ball bolts on the Elan that were used because of the special nature of somethings being modified versions of other manufactuired parts. No one is going to stock a 15/16 long bolt. Even here in the U.S where we still use inches and feet. The best you can get at most supply houses are 7/8" or 1 inch, above an inch it goes to 1 1/4". Its not surprising that someone would use the wrong size.

[Robbie693]

Thanks for the speedy replies guys,

Looks like mine is definitely too short - it's about 3/4".

I'll look at Namrick's site.

And I'll buy a parts manual - probably cheaper than copying one nowadays!

Cheers

Robbie

[garyeanderson]

Thanks for the speedy replies guys,


And I'll buy a parts manual - probably cheaper than copying one nowadays!

Cheers

Robbie

I was on the clock (on the fiddle?) and got paid overtime for doing it,
pretty sleazy, oh well. Saved me a lot in the end. Well, maybe not, I ended up spending all of my money buying Elans for the next 15 years.

Gary

[Robbie693]

Nice one.

We need all the help we can get

[cliveyboy]

Robbie
I have a spare one you can have.
I machined a longer bolt down.
Its unplated but should get you out of trouble.

Clive

[john.p.clegg]

Robbie

Don't bother with bolts,fit an exhaust stud,that way you will only be removing the nuts (as in exhaust) I don't know why Colin fitted studs to the exhaust but not the thermostat housing?

John

[Robbie693]

hmm, that's not a bad idea.

Thanks John

[garyeanderson]

Robbie

Don't bother with bolts,fit an exhaust stud,that way you will only be removing the nuts (as in exhaust) I don't know why Colin fitted studs to the exhaust but not the thermostat housing?

John

Probable because 2 studs, nuts, flat washers and lock washers cost more than 2 bolts, flat washer and lock washers.

funny how some people recomend the bolts for the exhaust and studs for the therostat housing

Gary

[rgh0]

funny - I use socket head cap screws in both

cheers
Rohan

[CBUEB1771]

I use studs in both locations. I prefer to put the majority of service cycles on the stud and nut, not the precious soft ally of the head.