Stripped bowl threads on carbs Helicoil guidance needed.

[robvangulik]

I Helicoiled all my floatbowl threads 2 weeks ago, because three had gone bad loosening the bowls.
I ordered a set from Amazon, cost me 7 euro INCLUDING postage, took 3 days to get here and then spent less than an hour on a rainy sunday afternoon to put them in. The set was complete with all the tools I needed, drill, allen key, thread turner inner and 24 coils, so enough spare to make mistakes (which I didn't).

[Scooter]

I have used a helicoil kit for 8-32 screws, repairing 7 of the 12 screw holes on my 77 550k. Also repaired a couple of holes on the S&S superleaker (Super E) on my harley. The kit had everything execpt the required drill bit to ready the hole for tapping.  I believe it was an 11/64 inch drill required (apologies to metric folks). Only problem i had was breaking the tang in blind holes. Repairs seem to be holding.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I have ended up cutting the tip off my existing Helicoil Tap with my Dremil type tool so it's now flat ended - it still has the tapered lead at the end so should be fine. I bought an M5 kit a while ago that came with plenty of coils.

I'm planning on doing a practice thread first on some scrap alloy that my brother has when I see him on Friday.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Ted, I replaced about half of the threads on my spare 400/4 carbs with helicoils. I use Loctite 648 when inserting then trim off any helicoil AFTER it has cured with the ol' dremel.

Okay Matt, I have tapped out the two dodgy carb bowl threads so next I need to fit the coil inserts.
It was harder than I imagined to keep the Tap at 90 deg to the carb body - I now have some new  threads.
I like the idea of giving the coil insert some extra intergrity using Loctite or similar.

With the Loctite 648 - is there any danger that the Loctite will seep through the coils and cause an issue?

[Matt_Harrington]

Ted, I don't think so. I would just let the Loctite cure.....

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I did wonder if J-B original cold weld (2 part) would work as an alternative as I have some left over from a previous repair job?

[Bryanj]

That should be ok Ted, same as araldite i think, clean well with something like brake cleaner first and let it dry

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I ordered some of the Loctite 648 that was due for delivery yesterday Bryan but getting impatient so thought about the J-B as an alternative.
After more research I'm going to wait for the Loctite 648 - I've been away from the 500 for a month so another few days will not hurt.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

After my short summer recess I have finally fitted Helicoils to the two stripped carb bowl threads.

My first Helicoil  was okay but I did not manage to get the thread as far down as I should have with the tap so the tang came off as I tried to wind it down the last bit. I have used a slightly shorter screw, Result!

Before I fitted the second Helicoil I ground off a tad more of my reamer with my Dremel. I managed an extra  thread right to the end.
The Helicoil fits beautifully - so practice makes perfect proved yet again.

It's my first ever Helicoil so I am chuffed to bits & re-motivated to press on with the carb cleaning/re-fitting.

Just wondered if I ought to fit a new set of 40 jets or is there enough control with the air screws to cope with any enlargements caused by previous cleaning etc?

Comments welcome regarding jet replacement thoughts.