Bolt Stripped Help

[Michael Bullington 5]

I have a bolt that goes into my tecumseh engine through a hole in the belt guard...the hole in the engine is stripped out....I would consider leaving it out, but it keeps the deck engagement pedal from scratching the belt cover...Any good suggestions on how you might go about fixing this?

Thanks

Michael

[rustbucket 4]

tap it with a different size tap or you could always try to put a heli coil in it and use a new bolt

[porkchop 1]

What size bolt is it? Is it coarse or fine thread? Let me know and I,ll tell you what size drill and tap to use to make it the next bigger size it,s real simple.

[sorekiwi 761]

I'd helicoil it Michael.

You tap the hole bigger, and then thtread in a stainless steel wire insert that "sleeves" it down to the origonal thread size. Then you can use the origonal bolt (and I know how muchyou like to keep things origional!!)

You can buy a kit at an autoparts store, or Mcmaster-Carr etc.

BTW (and off topic!!) my HT55 is sitting on the floor next to my (now) Kohler powered 502 if you are interested....

[Michael Bullington 5]

its a 5/16 bolt with a fine thread

Thanks!

[Michael Bullington 5]

Hey thanks Mike...im gonna check out both options....LOL I do like orginal ...Hey email me a price on the engine ...I do want it ....but im like everyone else digging for change...I'll see what I can do...your in ohio right...send me you new address also.....hope all is going well....Hey we are gonna to have to go to a show together sometime and ride these rangers around :thumbs:

[porkchop 1]

I would use a 5/16 drill bit and a 3/8-16 coarse thread tap. This is the next bigger size. Use crisco or lard the white thick kind on the tap. Turn it in a few turns until it starts to get a little tight then back it out a turn or two then repeat until you hit bottom or are as deep as you need to be. You can also use the crisco to lubricate the drill bit.