1. Helicoil. (Cheap and I hate them.)
2. Thread Saver. (Expensive but it's a steel sleeve that gets locked into the pan so future stripping is very very uncommon.)
3. New Pan and Bolt
4. Re-tap a size up and use a larger bolt.
Any ideas? I really want to do option 2, but if you guys know of any other/better options let me know.
OH, and as a rundown of what happened, I went to remove the drain plug for an oil change and it simply popped and the bolt nearly fell out. All of the threads from the pan where stuck in the bolt itself. I went to try to thread it in and there are maybe 3 complete threads in the pan. I can finger tighten it, but as soon as I put a wrench on it it skips the threads.
Thanks.
No matter what you go with the sump has to come off and go back on with a new gasket, unless you dont mind swarf in the engine. With this fact in mind the easiest option is to find a a used pan with a sound drain plug thread and simply replace the whole thing.
I second getting a used pan for it, unless you happen to have access to all the tools and expertise needed to do a really good repair job. If you have a machinist friend, you could probably fix it for cheap, but paying someone to do it for you would not work out cheaper...
I actually went to bike-bandit and found everything I need for about 50 bucks. New Pan, bolt, gasket, and washer. :cheers:
I did find a couple old pans on e-bay from 89's but God knows where they came from or their history... plus, there was a nice picture of the inside of the pan and there's really NO material there to drill and tap.. it's basically a finned valley with two small jet outs to support the plug threads. :cookoo:
Well, 50 bucks is WAY better than I thought, so I'm not too pissed now... lol. I mean, it's 30 bucks for a heli/thread saver kit anyway. The frustration they throw in for free. ;)