Stripped alternator cover bolt holes

[Speeddog]

Yes, cover off for the repair.

[Langanobob]

TimeSerts take smaller drills and taps than Helicoils.

Interesting.  I Googled and there must be 500 similar threads on teh interweb.  One of the common plusses given for heli-coil use was the smaller drill and tap.  But... when I found drill size tables for both types the size I cross-checked (8mm), the recommended Time-sert drill bit actually was a few thousandths of an inch smaller. 

[Howie]

I *think* Heli-coils may use a slightly smaller drill bit and tap.  If that's true, then I'd go with Heli-coil since there isn't a lot of extra meat in the threaded area.  Properly installed, they are going to work just fine.  But if the tap size is the same, either method will work fine.

I think that just  like the global warming issue, this one is split right down political lines.  Everyone who insists Time-Serts for this one voted for McCain and Heli-Coilers went with Michelle's husband.   See - if you don't agree with me on Heli-coils for this particular application I'll just get this thread locked. 

Not true about the voting   Time-Serts are better, Heli Coils are good enough for this application, but, as Langanobob said, use whichever leaves more meat is left over.

[ducpainter]

TIME-SERT.

Heli-coil ******only****** if you have to.  Nevermind the bolt size/thread/torque value.

This is my opinion, YMMV.

What do you know?   

Seriously...

before there were time-serts, helicoils worked fine for those kinds of repairs.

I'm not disputing that the time-sert is a better product, but experience tells me that a properly installed helicoil does work for that application.

I just think it's overkill...

and one thing Stu and I always agree on is...

YMMV.

[corndog67]

It depends on how much meat is surrounding that screw hole.  If there is plenty, go time sert.  If the wall is pretty thin, use the helicoil.   They both work fine. 

Either way, the finished hole is stronger than the original thread. 

[red baron]

Stirp them all and have Nick fix them all, problem solved.

[erkishhorde]

Stirp them all and have Nick fix them all, problem solved.

Honestly, that thought did cross my mind... Well, not purposefully stripping them, but just plain slapping timeserts in all of them. 

[Speeddog]

Let me know beforehand if you want to Timesert them all, so I can order more inserts. 

Really not necessary to do them all, it's not a cover that you have on and off frequently.

[GraGra]

I wonder if someone can help..

I saw this thread concerning the alternator bolt hole - and somehow (make the beast with two backswitsia???) - I've or someone who's been working on my bike has managed to strip the lower front hole for the belt cover of the horizontal cylinder - there's not that much meat there - so would the Helicoil kit be best for this application?

Anyone know what size it would be? I'm thinking M6 - I will really need to know what I need for this before I order - I'm in Thailand, and vendors are not many - I may need to order it - or at least be damn sure I ask for the right thing

Many thanks,

[64duc]

the one behind the slave is the most important as the slave is trying to pull the cover off the cases every time you pull the clutch in.

the helicoil kit is expensive if you have only 1 to do, but if you're doing 4 it's not so bad and they're mighty useful.  make sure you get the right size drill too and use some crc, wd40 or the like when drilling and tapping the thread.

Cool Tool is the product you want. Cutting and tapping fluid.