I had a water pump bolt hole break off of my timing cover (350) partway. I didnt want to lay out for a new cover, and didnt want to just skip the bolt. So I went to old faithful, JB Weld...Quik weld actually. Only the outer portion of the hole had come off, and I still had thread on the remaining part, so I took a bolt, wrapped it in teflon tape. Used my fingernail to get the tape in the threads. Then I laid the taped bolt in the remaining threads and JB welded over the tape. Let it harden, and the bolt threaded right out. So I am thinking I wont torque the bolt all the way and Ill probably use some threadlocker, but at least I have gone from having no bolt to having "A" bolt there. Time will tell if the dissimilar materials will break apart over X heat cycles. My other Idea was to try some of that Alumiweld stuff. Anyhow, just an idea, Ill post if it hoilds up LoL. Ken G.
a good idea too. maytbe a little grinding to get things trimmed, and some paint, I'll never notice it.
Dont feel bad, that bolt strips or siezes all the time. Thats the one that holds the alternator bracket on. Been there, done that
You got the easy way out! Mine broke off just about flush, and I had to surface grid, center punch, drill, tap with oversize drill for helicoil (Don't ask, I used wrong size bit, had the chart right there by the drill press, and wanted to shoot myself in the foot), and then reassemble. used V6 cover as interim measure while it was out. hey it works just fine, just not stock appearing with the plastic timing tab.
Update: the JBweld is holding up well. I even got it close to properly torqued. No water leaks as yet! I was so pleased with the repair that I did the same thing for one of the bolt holes for the oil pump cover! No trouble there either. tictoctictoc Ken G.
tic toc tic toc indeed... I don't like Qwik weld as much as classic slow curing JB weld. I surely wouldn't use it on the oil pump. Engine can live for a few minutes without water, but oil... Totally different story. BRAVE soul indeed.
