Starter thread bolt holes stripped in bell housing - fix?

[70SunFun]

In my 1970 Challenger 383 four-speed the two starter bolt holes in the aluminum bell housing are stripped. Does anyone know how to fix this issue? Thanks.

 

[69Bee]

Ummm, Heli-Coil...

 

[70SunFun]

Ummm, Heli-Coil...

Thank you.

 

[steve340]

I used a pair of longer allen head cap screws once. A heli-coil is hard to do in place.

 

[70SunFun]

I used a pair of longer allen head cap screws once. A heli-coil is hard to do in place.

Thanks, I may try that. You're right that a helicoil is hard to do in place. I was trying to avoid removing the bell housing to do the helicoil repair.

 

[RemCharger]

Usually they strip because some one used a short bolt.
Take a good look at the back of the bolt hole, see if there's any threads left. If there is, find a bolt long enough to go through completely, and carefully tighten up

 

[33 IMP]

If they are through holes, as above, tap em deeper and use a longer bolt... or a couple studs.

 

[70SunFun]

Usually they strip because some one used a short bolt.
Take a good look at the back of the bolt hole, see if there's any threads left. If there is, find a bolt long enough to go through completely, and carefully tighten up

Excellent info. The current bolts are about 1-1/2 inches long so I don't know if a 1-5/8 or 1-3/4 length will work. Thanks again.

 

[steve340]

To be clear I threaded the cap screw through what was left of the thread and put a nut on it from the other side. I don't think there was room for a washer.
Worked good.
I later had the housing out and put it in a mill and did heli-coils.

 

[70SunFun]

Usually they strip because some one used a short bolt.
Take a good look at the back of the bolt hole, see if there's any threads left. If there is, find a bolt long enough to go through completely, and carefully tighten up

Thanks. I already dropped the car back down on the garage floor and can't see the bolt holes from the top side. I'll have to jack it up again to look underneath to see if the holes go through completely. I'm hoping they do.

 

[RemCharger]

Pretty sure they all do

 

[70SunFun]

To be clear I threaded the cap screw through what was left of the thread and put a nut on it from the other side. I don't think there was room for a washer.
Worked good.
I later had the housing out and put it in a mill and did heli-coils.

Yes, thanks. If the holes go all the way through, I will do your suggestion. Hoping to avoid taking out the housing but I might have to.

 

[70SunFun]

Pretty sure they all do

Cool; I'm hoping! Thanks again.

 

[70SunFun]

If they are through holes, as above, tap em deeper and use a longer bolt... or a couple studs.

Thank you.

 

[snakeoil24]

In my 1970 Challenger 383 four-speed the two starter bolt holes in the aluminum bell housing are stripped. Does anyone know how to fix this issue? Thanks.

Re weld holes then tap helicoil will fail

 

[70SunFun]

Re weld holes then tap helicoil will fail

Thank you.

 

[70SunFun]

Thank you.

I retapped the holes which go all of the way through, used longer bolts but had to use slightly smaller diameter ones due to very limited bolt head clearance due to the rounded profile of the bell housing being very close to the holes. Also used washers, and lock washers. Thank you all for the informative information. It's fixed (for now, lol!)!

 

[MoparLeo]

The factory used 2 different sized fasteners. One was a bolt , the other a stud and nut. Most problems are with non factory bolts used. Get the right stuff.
Look in your Factory Service Manual, it will tell you exactly what belongs there.
64-74 Mopar Dodge A B C E Body 340 383 440 426 Hemi Cuda Starter Bolt Stud Set | eBay

 

[33 IMP]

I think most that don't use the proper stud, are like me..... I can't move the starter onto the stud because the headers are in the way. The stud is leaving before the headers do.....

 

[70SunFun]

The factory used 2 different sized fasteners. One was a bolt , the other a stud and nut. Most problems are with non factory bolts used. Get the right stuff.
Look in your Factory Service Manual, it will tell you exactly what belongs there.
64-74 Mopar Dodge A B C E Body 340 383 440 426 Hemi Cuda Starter Bolt Stud Set | eBay

Thank you.