Are these threads stripped??
 

I had the hardest time getting one of my oil cooler lines off. After removing and inspecting I know why. Apparently a previous wrench improperly tightened this fitting. The threads on the line are fine its just the cooler thats damaged.
Should I
A: Re install and cross my fingers.
or
B: Try to find out thread size and use a die to re thread. (any one know it?)

I removed the cooler to install an Elephant Racing fan. Below are some before and after pictures of that infamous horn bracket. I will be cleaning, welding and painting the bracket tomorrow. Its just mocked up now, held together with hot glue to double check proper fitments. I would appreciate any input on the bracket mod. It would really suck to get it all done and find out it didn't work. I extended the holes 2 inches.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1250468674.jpg

Before
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1250468728.jpg

Mocked up before welding

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1250468773.jpg

They look galled not stripped. If you cant find a die, you can use a thread file, or an ordinary file, or even a fine hacksaw blade, which can actually work well, as you hold it at an angle and it rides the threads.

Know any machinists ?

Yikes. The fitting on the right looks ugly.

If the thread root is full of crap then it can be cleaned out as descibed. But if the thread form is missing then I would junk it.

With the combination of heat, pressure and vibration you need a reliable joint.

A friend booged the threads like that on his '86 years ago. Sent it to Otto's in Venice, CA and he put a new fitting on the cooler. That may be an option if you can't clean the threads. Those threads are going to be hard to clean and make operate smoothly. I recently replaced my aux. thermostat and one of the oil line nuts looked fine but wouldn't go on the t-stat smoothly. Had to pick and scrape it to get some tiny crud out of the bottom of the threads. Point being is your whole fitting is booged, so it's going to be hard to clean smoothly, evenly with a die. Plus a die that size is going to be EXPENSIVE. Hopefully you can find somebody who already has the die and borrow it?

I know Pelican also carries a thread saver for instances like this. But I believe it's for the aux. thermostat fittings. Not sure if the front cooler fitting is the same diameter as the thermostat?

I'm going to give it a whack with a thread file and hacksaw blade. I will post the results asap!

If the results are not satisfactory I try my luck with a die. Any one know the size??

MG

I think it is something like 32mm. I'd look it up (you can purchase adapters so you can switch to -AN lines for aftermarket front coolers of various kinds, maybe our host has them, or Pegasus - or measuer - I have a spare in my toolbox), if I thought you ought to invest in a die.

But you should not.

Invest in a proper thread chaser. Looks like a square cross section file, sort of. Each side has file configurations for different thread pitches, which run half its length, then change to another pitch. So you get 8 pitches on one tool, maybe 10" long. Every one should have one of these in his tool box. They do a fine job a lot quicker than hacksaw blades, or even a good jewler's file with a fine edge so you can get down to the thread roots without buggering them up. Sure, not quite as quick as a chasing die, but those have to be megabucks for a one time tool at this size. The chaser you will use forever.

Walt Fricke

If you can find a nut that matches the threads you can take a dremel with a very thin cut-off wheel and put a slice in the nut all the way through from the outside to the threaded inside. Try and keep the edge as flat as possible and do not round it off, especially on the inside where the threads are. This will create a nice thread chaser that you can use to clean out the threads. Then, after you have run it through at least once, you can use some vice grips to put some force on it and close the newly cut gap slightly. This will cause the threads of the nut to gently re-form the threads of the fitting.

Enjoy!

-Michael

PS Your fitting will be a little bit looser fit now, but with the right tape/non-hardening sealant you should be fine.

-Michael

Michael

Great idea. I have cut slots in bolts to form field expedient taps. Never thought of doing this with a nut for a die.

Walt

Good call !!

Great post.

And don't forget some tapping/cutting or 50W oil.

Gerry