Well, I am in the middle of a cam swap. The motor is already a shortblock from pulling the heads/intake earlier. I have the radiator out and am ready to go. I pulled the balancer and timing cover. I put the balancer bolt in the crank to turn the motor over. The bolt never got tight. I pulled the bolt out and its covered in metal shavings. I tried another balancer bolt I already had. It threads in and also never gets tight. Long story short, the end of the crank is stripped out. I just bought this car and this is my first encounter with any of the engine components, so nothing I could have done would have caused this. Any suggestions?

Retap the crankshaft?

Retap the crankshaft?
yup. go up one standard size and re-tap... really about the only option.
Not hard to do... kinda scary though..lol

I just talked with my local engine builder. He told me to helicoil it. I asked about going up 1 size and he said not to. He claims to have helicoiled a lot of cranks and it works fine. Guess I'll try that.

I would retap it one size before I helicoiled it. Just my opinion...

This issue you are having was most likely a result of NOT using the proper balancer installation tools.

That's exactly what he said. Someone probably put the balancer on with the crank bolt.

If that dont work there is alway jb weld ....... lol

Been there a few times

If that dont work there is alway jb weld ....... lol

I'm sure someones probably done it.

Benefit of a Helicoil is a standard balance bolt designed for the job will fit. I'm with the mechanic on this one.

Here's another idea that I use.

Get a grade 8 stud or piece of all thread and thread it in until it bottoms out, there's still lots of good thread deeper in the hole, use it. Then you can use the stud to pull the balancer on and retain it.

I've run into this problem more than once, I've gotten into the habit of using a stud there in every engine I build. In fact the 406 in the car now had the same problem when I got it, the front of the threads were toast. I buy 4' lengths of all thread from the local industrial fastner supply house, just cut off what I need when I need it.

That's a pretty good idea too. Hmm...

You should try that first. It would only cost ya a few bucks in allthread. Although an ARP balancer bolt is worth 10hp.

That's a pretty good idea too. Hmm...

You should try that first. It would only cost ya a few bucks in allthread. Although an ARP balancer bolt is worth 10hp.

I knew I should've bought that ARP bolt!

Unfortunately, the threads are damaged all the way down. I screwed the bolt in all the way to try and turn the motor over. The bolt never got any tigher than about 10 ft. lbs. before it started turning. I'm going to helicoil it tomorrow and hope that works.

Buy yourself the proper install tool from Summit. I never use the orig bolt to put the balancer back on, and make sure you leave the plugs out.

Unfortunately, the threads are damaged all the way down. I screwed the bolt in all the way to try and turn the motor over. The bolt never got any tigher than about 10 ft. lbs. before it started turning. I'm going to helicoil it tomorrow and hope that works.

Use an INSERT over a Helicoil. You can buy kits that come with the correct drill bit, tap and insert. An insert is one piece and not a coil of material/wire.

I rented my tool from Autozone.

There are two different types of helicoils, the hardware store thin coil inserts and the industrial type which is a thick cross section and requires a larger hole to be drilled. I have used them while at GM but never tried to purchase them. I can atest to their strength and it would be the route I would go if a helicoil is required. They look like a hollow bolt/threaded rod.

I helicoiled it today. Those damn things are expensive. Autozone doesn't carry the 7/16x20 size that it required, so I had to go to NAPA. $65 later, I got the kit. It seems to be all good now...thanks guys!

I rented my tool from Autozone.


LOL....siggy material :crazy:

LOL....siggy material :crazy:

Haha. I was thinking that right as I posted it. I was in a hurry. Honestly though, Autozone's tool policy kicks ass.