interal thread stripped on timing chain cover

[recordsj]

I have a 1500 mg midget working on an oil leak on the front timing chain cover. It is leaking most likely since the bolts can't get good compression on the cover since the internal threads in the engine block are stripped.

Any ideas on how to fix this and get a good seal for the cover?

 

[jcatnite]

You will probably have to drill them out and put a helicoil in the block. Not a major repair but would probably require the engine to be on a stand. The other option might be to slather on enough silicon gasket maker to make it take up the slop. Use so retaining compound made by loctite on the bolts(it is the green)(I call it shaft in a bottle at work, use it when pillow block bearings spin their inner race and damage the shaft). It has a setup time listed on the bottle. Wait till the setup time is about 3/4 over and gently try to get a little more torque on the bolts. Others may have different options. Given the two that I've thought of, I would go for the helicoil on my engine.
JC

 

[regularman]

You might could drill and tap to the next size up, like say from a 1/4 to a 5/16 and ream the holes out in the cover. Cheaper and easier than a helicoil.