aprotogerellis

Hi there,

Planning to replace my water pump I'm seriously thinking of getting hold of some kind of thread repair kit. Looking about the two main contenders seem to be helicoil and time-sert. The views on-line seem to be:

- Time-sert seem to be more popular but helicoils more widespread
- Time-sert seem to last much longer
- Time-sert may have a slight raise on the outside which rules them out for use when gaskets are involved (e.g. waterpump)
- Time-sert seem to be more expensive

So, what are people's views on this? Time-sert, helicoil or one of the other contenders (recoil, rethread etc.).

Thanks!
Alex

75ohm

Do you currently have an issue with stripped holes for your waterpump or are you planning on encountering some?

MyBlackCar

Timesert. They are much stronger and more secure than Helicoils.

xsboost90

timesert- although a couple of the studs go directly into the coolant passage at the front of the motor- which is what i encountered- and you will have to seal the timesert threads before you install them, as well as the threads on that bolt. I had one that stuck out and just ground it down smooth w/ the block- alittle rtv on the wp gasket doesnt hurt anyways.

marky522

Time-sert can take more torque. And there shouldnt be a raised edge with a timesert if you do it properly, you are supposed to countersink the edges to avoid a lip.

Mark

sahtt57

I'd check here Helicoil vs Time-sert for a wide range of details on application positives and negatives.

I typically don't get too concerned with thread repair kits until there is a problem. As long as you are careful you shouldn't have any issues but having a kit on hand, especially if you don't have a second vehicle and a good parts store nearby, is probably an idea I should consider for bigger jobs.

Yummybud924

helicoils worked great for me. I replaced all water pump threads with helicoils as they were all pretty much stripped when I removed the rusted bolts.

the water pump bolts are not high torque so I think helicoils work great but for other things I guess the timserts would be safer.

I don't see anything wrong with helicoils.

S2cab

Time-serts are metal. They will be stronger than the original threaded part.

xsboost90

yeah the one was awful close to the head stud and i didnt want to get into the side of it so i ventured close as i felt comfortable and then just installed the timesert and ground the end of it off. The other was countersunk.

marky522

HA!! That reminded me of a car i helped a friend rebuild, the hole was stripped out, so they drilled it bigger and retapped it, they had drilled it considerably deeper, they had drilled and tapped across the head bolt... it was weird to see that when we pulled it!!!

Mark

aprotogerellis

Great, thanks for all the tips!

I haven't actually stripped anything yet but judging from other people and from the state most of my bolts are in I suspect I may have trouble.

Over in the UK it seems very difficult to get hold of time-serts so I'm probably looking at helicoils or equivalent. Helicoils are also hard to get hold of and I was wondering whether "rethread" which are in better supply can be considered?

Thanks!
Alex