Time to 'Sert

[fest]

could not find earlier thread
on use of inserts on Threads into Aluminum
so I am starting a new one...

this issue regrettably has 'come alive' in a BIG way
in my life right now
as the Stud that holds the Timing Chain Drive Gear Carrier
to the Block has stripped out!
(I foolishly actually thought
I was finally able to begin re-assembly)

when tightening it down
I noted an anomaly i.e.
this just don't feel right!
sho nuff, when I disassembled it
I found the Threads had pulled right out of the Block

this makes sense, actually
as I noted that this same Nut was loose
when I disassembled it

what does not make sense
is that this Engine appears to have NOT been previously disassembled
it seems unlikely that Factory personnel
would allow this to happen
but that seems to be the case
(the stripped Threads did not appear to be fresh)

my own personal theory:
in the Ferrari Factory Photo Book
that I got for Christmas (see earlier post)
I noted in some photos from the early '70's
there was this young dude with touseled hair
working on the Engine Assembly Line
that looked like he was stoned out of his gourd
and I thought to myself:
"gee I hope HE did not work on MY Engine!!!"

apparently, he did
:(

as this stripped out Stud also has a Spacer
inserted in the Threaded Hole
I may not be able to use a Time Sert
(if I remember the name correctly)
as the OD of the Time Sert Counterbore
may be larger than the OD of the Spacer

I guess we will find that out in the weeks to come
(and a whole lot more about the Thread Insert realm)

[treue]

Hi Fest:

The string you are looking for is "330 Engine Studs" on Page 3. Yes, that feeling is one of the truly worst life has to offer.

Give us a report on how it turns out.

Tom

[Dr. Ian Levy]

Hello Andrew
Don't feel too bad about stripped threads in aluminium.
I had several on my rebuild,distributor mounting & the sump pan lid mainly.There are 22 studs around the sump so I was pretty nervous.
I was a Dental Surgeon in my former life & I was & am more apprehensive when tightening Ferrari nuts & bolts in aluminium.
It got to the stage where I was frightened to tighten the next nut after two stripped threads in succession. I used helicoil inserts here in the UK & they seem to hold OK
Good luck & I hope this is the only obstacle to your reassembly progress.
Regards
Ian L
UK

[fest]

thanks for the support guys!

this has definately given me cause to reconsider
my earlier position on using Time Serts on ALL fasteners
when re-building a Ferrari Engine-
If I were doing a complete top-to bottom job
I would now consider doing exactly that