You don't have to put a helicoil in unless you need to keep the same bolt size. Just tap it for a larger size.
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You need a 3/8" bolt to clear the bracket channels. Three of them in each bracket. A larger bolt won't do.You don't have to put a helicoil in unless you need to keep the same bolt size. Just tap it for a larger size.
TImesert or helicoil then put the stud in that hole. Personally I would stud all the holes as I did.Timesert or helicoil. Hokey repairs tend to let loose when you're out in the middle of nowhere.
Yeah, if I was smart I would have replaced them before I tried to install the shortened bolts. But since I'm not I didn't have the thought until after. $5 and 15 minutes at a local boneyard and I got 6 new (to me, most definitely not new to the earth) ones. I'm keeping a set of spares for the L31 that's now on the stand that the 390 used to be on. I'm waiting to hear from AFR regarding how deep I can go with for some 9/16-12 helicoil inserts. I need 0.52" for the insert and a few hundredths more to allow for threads and the bit point. I didn't strip the bolt holes just felt the threads start to go and stopped. The studs still come in and go out with the 1/4" socket just fine so threaded all the way to the back. But the marginal one doesn't bite much when I try the bolt so not going to push it. I only took the others to 25 ft-lbs after experience with the first so they're still tight. I should have enough of the thread metal left for JB Weld to bite if I need to go that route based on how AFR responds. But based on the comparison video posted on Youtube the helicoils are clearly the way to go for a one and done solution.I bought the accessory studs that are usually used 1 per head from GM and used them on all the acessory head bolt holes in my van. Saves wear and tear on the aluminum holes.
I will also add that I have run the L31 brackets sans 1 bolt per side before. LT1 I swapped into a TBI truck with TBI on it. The bolt he has weakened is not a huge deal.If the stud is holding now, would Loctite be enough to keep it in place, without being permanent?