Helicoil info please

[Rob P]

I have a small issue with the bracket holding the throttle cable to the Cam Cover on my Elan S4, the thread on one of the holes is damaged so the bolt is loose.
I thought I would Helicoil the hole but having never used these before the process of buying a kit seems to give masses of options and as such was wondering if anyone on here could advise on which Helicoil kit would be a good option to buy.
I would like to buy a kit that would give me options for the future so assume a multi-sized kit would be best
Anyone bought one recently that they could recommend?
Rob P

[Orsom Weels]

TBH Rob, if you've only got the one thread to rescue, if you can find someone close by who can do it for you, it's hardly worth buying a kit. As each thread size requires a different tap & drill size, multi size kits are not common & work out very expensive, especially considering there will almost certainly be some you will never use. they are aimed at the professional market where they're used every day. Cheaper 'multi size' kits are often just one thread size, but with different depth inserts. If you can't find anyone who can do the job for you, just buy the size you require, if I remember correctly 1/4 UNC for what you are after. I use this brand all the time & can recommend them,
https://www.recoilshop.net/unc-1-4-20-k ... gKTCvD_BwE

Regards, Tim

[MarkDa]

Yes - multiple size metric kits are readily available at keen prices but imperial is getting on for 3x cost.
So if it won't 'pack out with some ptfe tape and you want a proper job a machine shop visit may be in order.
On the other hand if you don't expect to remove it again and just want a cheap fix you could cross thread a 7mm bolt/set screw.
I'm having difficulty picturing throttle cable crossing the head - is yours lhd?

[RogerFrench]

Yes - multiple size metric kits are readily available at keen prices but imperial is getting on for 3x cost.
So if it won't 'pack out with some ptfe tape and you want a proper job a machine shop visit may be in order.
On the other hand if you don't expect to remove it again and just want a cheap fix you could cross thread a 7mm bolt/set screw.
I'm having difficulty picturing throttle cable crossing the head - is yours lhd?

He has an s4 with Stromberg carbs, the throttle cable outer is anchored to the cambox cover.

[MarkDa]

Thanks Roger I understand now.

[MarkDa]

Thanks Roger I understand now.

[john.p.clegg]

Rob
If you fancy a trip down to Manchester, Ill do it for you,,,,gratis.


John

[Rob P]

Thanks for the response guys, yes the car is on Strombergs so the throttle cable is clamped to the Cam Cover,
Thanks John for the offer of help but I think I may have sorted a resolution which I'll be getting sorted over the
weekend.
Had a good search for the Helicoil kits and they seem to range from some cheap kits from China which I assume aren't that great to some very expensive kits which as you say don't make sense if you are not in the business of using them regularly, of which I am not

[awatkins]

Regarding the attractively-priced kits made in China: I purchased one off Amazon a few weeks ago and it was horrible. The coils are soft and have none of the ?springiness? that is required for a successful insertion, and the insertion tools are also soft, with the result that they deform in a way that can result in the tool and the insert stuck in the hole with the insert wound into a bunch at the back of the hole. Really scary when you are working with an expensive casting!

Moral: if you can?t afford the right kit, buy just the size you need, but in either case stick with the true Helicoil-brand parts or their reputable equivalent. Otherwise you risk having the ?fix? making your problem much worse.

Here?s an example of a bad one:

https://www.amazon.com/Tek-Motion-Strip ... B018LMAXFU

Here?s a good one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EB7SSM

[RichardHawkins]

Rob,

I agree with Tim. I buy the size I need when I need it. A selection will probably include many that you never use.

Richard Hawkins

[fattogatto]

But, when you need one, you usually REALLY need it, and don't have time for a road trip or on-line order to secure the proper size. There are many more uses for good helicoils (from Helicoil) than one can imagine. It's not like they go bad over time. Buy the basic metric and standard kits and be done with it.

[vincereynard]

Regarding the attractively-priced kits made in China: I purchased one off Amazon a few weeks ago and it was horrible.

Buying cheap Far Eastern stuff is generally a waste of time.

I was building a tender dingy and needed a set of drills to use on Mahogany and Ply.

I bought a set of, allegedly, "Engineering Quality" drills and found they would not drill hardwood let alone steel. MMade out of some sort of grey toffee I imagine.
Printed on the box, alongside the "Engineering Quality", it had "All sizes approximate!"