Onan P220 Exhaust Threads

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

Has anyone re-threaded the exhaust manifold bolt holes in an Onan block?

How much does it cost to do?

The bolts came out clean for me, (didn't see any aluminum on them, but didn't look in the holes when I took it apart) but the ebay buyer is telling me the threads are stripped clean. There's a few annoying issues surrounding this, but I'm going to try to be the good ebay seller and make it right. 

[JAinVA 4,638]

Brandon,
       Ordinarily helicoils would repair the stripped threads in the aluminum block.There are a number of folks who think of them as a bandaid fix,not knowing a key fact.Every airplane flying and space craft as well have them new from the time they are manufactured.I say ordinarily heli-coils would work but I just went out to the shop an looked at a
bare 220 block and I think that the hole closest to the head surface won't allow enough metal to use a heli-coil.The block might be tapped to the next largest bolt size.I know this might not what you want to hear but a refund may be the least expensive option for your situation.Luck,JAinVA

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

Thanks for checking on that JA. Anyone done either of those options?

I'm ok with a refund on the condition that I get the engine back. I don't think he's gonna wanna fork over the $100 to have it shipped back, and I don't blame him. 

[HokieAg07 129]

If there is room, I would not hesitate to use Heli-Coil. I have used them in several other applications with great success. 

Do you think it is possible that buyer stripped threads assembling ?

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

I would tell him refund only, and as long as the serial number matches when you get it back, you will refund his money. I would eat the shipping if he complains, but I wouldn't offer it right off the bat. Don't mention it and see what he says. What did the original auction say about returns?
 

The $100 is probably cheaper than repairing it, and if he doesn't seem to want to return it, he may be scamming you or damaged it himself, as Chris said. 

Edited November 10, 2015 by WNYPCRepair

[JAinVA 4,638]

Brandon,
        You can get an idea about who you are dealing with by looking at their feedback.There are some squirrels out there to be sure but if you want to keep selling on E-bay
you know drill.E-bay doesn't care about the sellers.There a number of ways to repair this block but the only way to resolve this issue is to have the repairs done with it in your  custody.I believe that at this point your choice is saving money or protecting your reputation as a seller on E-bay.Sorry I can't be more positive.Luck,JAinVA Jim 

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

Brandon,
        You can get an idea about who you are dealing with by looking at their feedback.There are some squirrels out there to be sure but if you want to keep selling on E-bay
you know drill.E-bay doesn't care about the sellers.There a number of ways to repair this block but the only way to resolve this issue is to have the repairs done with it in your  custody.I believe that at this point your choice is saving money or protecting your reputation as a seller on E-bay.Sorry I can't be more positive.Luck,JAinVA Jim 

 Its ok, you speak the truth. I sell something on ebay every once in a long while. I almost always have trouble with the buyers and I swear it off, only to forget in a few months/year. Its just hard to find that national audience quite like ebay does. 

I used to sell ebay all the time and it was wonderful. It too has disintegrated into the horrid filth that the internet has become full of liars, cheaters and scammers (Not to mention ebay itself once I got hit with those fees, SHEESH!) Not saying that this guy is trying to scam me, he came to get the engine himself from PA. But he bought a used engine listed "As-Is" for a TINY FRACTION of what it would cost to repair one, he needs to know that you generally get what you pay for! I didn't inspect the engine inside and out, if I had, I would have charged more. And then he personally picked it up and looked at it before loading it on his truck. 

[Martin 2,133]

I would think that if he came to pick it up, he looked over it and was happy with it when he took it, then its his deal. This situation is exactly why I stopped selling on eBay years ago. There are always situations where there might be an issue with something used. It isn't new, its used! I always try to look over and catch everything on a part, but if there is a problem you sometimes miss them. (not saying there was a problem with your engine, though). I think this is totally BS that a seller is held to ransom for something like this. It would be different if you had shipped it to him and he was seeing it for the first time, but this is not the case here..........

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

If it is clearly listed As-Is on the auction, EBay should back you
 

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

 

[HokieAg07 129]

Well, if the buyer came and retrieved it in person, then the onus is totally on them, even more so than if they bought it 'as is' off Ebay and had it shipped.

To me, you have no obligation to repair anything. 

[JPWH 6,364]

I have had to return parts before on eBay and I had to get it to them for a refund. I have paid return shipping more than once.

[JAinVA 4,638]

I did not realize that the buyer picked up the block in person.The guy sounds like a squirrel.Unless he lives in Alaska, the block could be returned by USPS for a lot less than $100.00. The block I looked at last night was shipped to me for $12.00 or at least that is what I was charged.I just mention this in hopes that it might help you.
                                                                                          Luck,JAinVA     (Jim)

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

He did pick up in person, but it was a complete engine minus carb and muffler. Probably about 125-150lbs.

From looking at the feedback he has left for others, it doesnt take much for him to leave bad feedback/become difficult.  

I will just wait to see what he says after "trying longer bolts". I will still attempt to be a good seller here, I wouldn't want a hassle just as much as the next guy, but we will see. 

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

I did not realize that the buyer picked up the block in person.The guy sounds like a squirrel.Unless he lives in Alaska, the block could be returned by USPS for a lot less than $100.00. The block I looked at last night was shipped to me for $12.00 or at least that is what I was charged.I just mention this in hopes that it might help you.
                                                                                          Luck,JAinVA     (Jim)

You had an engine block shipped for $12?
 

He did pick up in person, but it was a complete engine minus carb and muffler. Probably about 125-150lbs.

From looking at the feedback he has left for others, it doesnt take much for him to leave bad feedback/become difficult.  

I will just wait to see what he says after "trying longer bolts". I will still attempt to be a good seller here, I wouldn't want a hassle just as much as the next guy, but we will see. 

Sounds like he is scamming you to me
 

[rmaynard 16,343]

Brandon,
I did Heli-coils on the exhaust of my P-216. Easy, cheap, and it worked very well.
Bob

I'm pretty sure the kit which included the tap, insertion tool, and 6 coils cost me about $18.00. The drill bit was another $5.00.

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

@rmaynard Bob, you are a lifesaver. Now that I know it can be done (and how cheaply), I feel much better about all this. Thank you!

[boomers_influence 106]

bms, and club
here are my thoughts on this topic.
i would use the 5/16 NC heli-coil. ( plenty of meat there near the head )
a 21/64 drill bit is needed.
a 3/8 bolt ( next size ) needs a 5/16 drill bit.
SO, you are talking about .0075 per side larger hole
by using the heli-coil over the 3/8 bolt.
the STD 5/16 coil is 3/8 long.
i always use the 5/8 long ones for intake and exhaust.
thank you. boomer ( the used onan engine parts guy, also NOS and new )

[JAinVA 4,638]

It looks close to me but if you guys have done it with success then a heli-coil repair will last the life of the engine.Make sure the tapped hole is bottom tapped and
deeper than the insert .You need at least 1/2 to 1-1/2 turns below the surface and be sure to break off the insertion tang.If these condition aren't met the insert will
not stay locked into the tapped hole.In my career I must have installed  thousands of heli-coils,and they work great when properly installed.For repairs they are an inexpensive and easily done option.If you are hand drilling the tap drill sized hole be absolutely sure to not to deviate from perpendicular.Again it looks close
but if you guys have done it, go for it.Luck,JAinVA  

[ericj 1,579]

i've had good luck with running a tap down the hole and using a longer bolts





eric j 

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

I guess something must have worked, he left me positive feedback with no other contact! That COULD have gone badly (and I almost assumed it would!), but it is nice to know that there are still some normal people in the world that respond in kind to being genuine and cordial. 

Thanks everyone for your help, I will be filing away this information for the day that I will inevitably need it.

[mikekot3 93]

Helicoil kits are available at www.tooltopia.com . I have used them many times on vehicles and equipment.
 

Edited November 11, 2015 by mikekot3

[lynnmor 7,846]

i've had good luck with running a tap down the hole and using a longer bolts





eric j 

Did the same, worked fine.