Helicoil How-To
If you work on old cars, it's inevitable you'll run into stripped or damaged threads. Oftentimes, it's not convenient or practical to increase the size of the hole or the fastener. That's where the HeliCoil system makes your life easier. Besides restoring the original thread size, HeliCoil thread inserts are made of stainless steel wire, so the new threads are already stronger, especially when working with aluminum. In our case, we had a bellhousing in which some gorilla had managed to damage two of the bolt holes. The first step is to purchase a HeliCoil kit for the size fastener you are working with. We found a HeliCoil master kit (PN 5621, $134.54) that covers national coarse threads for 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2-inch thread sizes. You can also purchase individual-size kits such as a 3/8-inch national coarse repair kit with 12 inserts (PN 5521-6, $14.78).
The first step is to drill out the damaged hole (A) with the supplied HeliCoil drill bit. Next, use the supplied, proper-size tap (B) to cut insert threads. Then, using the plastic installation tool, thread the insert into the hole (C), making sure the top of the insert is a 1/4 to 1/2 turn below the surface of the bolt hole. You can trim the top of an insert for shorter applications or use more than one insert for deeper holes. To remove the tang, use a square-edge punch or rod and strike it with a hammer. That's all there is to it. You can find HeliCoil kits at most major hardware stores or at helicoil.com.
Belt Logic
On some GM power steering pumps, there is no provision to grip the pulley while tightening or loosening the shaft nut, making it difficult to torque the nut in place. Craftsman sells a belt wrench that makes this job easy. Merely wrap the belt around the power steering pump pulley and tighten the nut. These tools come in a two-wrench set, and it won't take you long to find all kinds of uses, such as removing oil filters or turning the engine over with this tool wrapped around the harmonic balancer on engines like early small-block Chevys without a crank bolt. The Craftsman two-wrench set is found under PN 45570 ($12.99) and can be ordered online or purchased at your local Craftsman retailer.
Custom Throttle Linkage
Car crafters are always looking for ways to do things differently on their cars. For all those musclecars with solid rod throttle linkage, you can build a trick spherical bearing throttle linkage for less than $15.00, and the parts are only as far away as your hardware store. We went to our local Orcahrd Supply Hardware (OSH) and found a pair of female 1/4-inch spherical bearings and a length of 1/4-inch aluminum rod, but you could use stainless or mild steel. After measuring and cutting the length of rod needed, we cut fine threads in both ends of the rod, threaded on locknuts and the spherical bearings, and attached the linkage to the car with the appropriate stainless steel fasteners. Now we have a professional-looking throttle linkage that is incredibly smooth.