440 block oil pick up tube threads

[road]

Is it safe to repair the oil tube threads in the block by drilling and taping larger in order to us a NPT 3/8 18 helicoil? or NPTF.
Tube is loose and goes in to far for proper fit.
Other options?
Thanks

 

[not so famous bob]

Is it safe to repair the oil tube threads in the block by drilling and taping larger in order to us a NPT 3/8 18 helicoil? or NPTF.
Tube is loose and goes in to far for proper fit.
Other options?
Thanks

why not / Ive read of guys drilling them out and tapping them for the 1/2'' pick up tubes ..

 

[gtxrt]

why not just use the 1/2" pick up tube.

 

[lewtot184]

Something to watch for if the threads are stripped is sand inclusions in the block. I had a 383 were the boss just fell apart during thread repair due to sand pockets in the boss.

 

[road]

why not just use the 1/2" pick up tube.

Have a 3/8 tube

 

[rickseeman]

I didn't know there was such a thing as helicoils for pipe threads. Since you have a problem with your threads, if you can't find a better way out, you can do the 1/2" pickup mod as others have suggested. Full instructions are in the Mopar B/RB manual. And I've done a video about that.

 

[Rishi]

To answer the OP, yes, it's safe. Do your best to get the drill angle correct, but if it's off a degree or two, it won't matter. Presuming your existing pickup is still in good shape, this is your easiest repair. Cleaning out the drill and tap fragments is the hardest part of the job. A smallish rare-earth magnet on the tip of a screwdriver may help.

 

[Rebelrouser]

drilled and tapped them many times to 1/2 inch, only thing I will add is to lube the tap up and go slow, removing and cleaning as you go, will also help trap the debris from cutting new threads.

 

[493 Mike]

Try wrapping 8-10 layers of teflon tape over the threads. The tape will take up a lot of slop and is the easiest fix.
Mike

 

[dan juhasz]

They make pipe thread heli-coils ??

 

[Lefty71]

You can always tap it to 1/2", then use a 1/2"x3/8" bush to put your original pickup back in. IIWM, i'd use a harder set threadlock on the 1/2" threads.

 

[BSB67]

Is it the block, or the tube? Messing with the block threads is not without risk and not for a typical hobbyist mechanic, IMO. Crack the boss, your block is done.

I would first try a new pickup tube with Teflon tape.

 

[lewtot184]

when the pick up boss gets trashed the only solution to keeping the block is external pick up. been there, done that!

 

[icetech]

The 3/8 to 1/2" is a big upgrade, if you want to do it here is a video with rick seaman going through the process and i believe he explains why to do it.

P.S. don't try just wrapping it in tape or anything like that... only needs to suck a little air and you aren't sucking up oil anymore...

 

[1danc]

Yes, lube - go slow - rags/magnets/vac - inspect block carefully before going through the work to be sure there isn't any cracks - 2nd Option I would consider is Epoxy thread repair which I've used with sloppy fits before, just be clean ! If you go with a 1/2" drill & tap you can use a bushing and reduce it back to the 3/8" pipe - use original pick-up

 

[MCODECUDA]

Yes, lube - go slow - rags/magnets/vac - inspect block carefully before going through the work to be sure there isn't any cracks - 2nd Option I would consider is Epoxy thread repair which I've used with sloppy fits before, just be clean ! If you go with a 1/2" drill & tap you can use a bushing and reduce it back to the 3/8" pipe - use original pick-up

The only problem with that is it will in effect lengthen your pickup tube about 3/8” due to the addition of the reducer. Since you’re already going to drill and tap your block to 1/2” why not use a 1/2” pickup? They can be bought new for $40 - $65 plus shipping. Just note that you won’t be able to take full advantage of the increased oil flow since you would not be doing all of the other block modifications.

 

[R/T Boy 67]

Check the threads in the block first. Try a 3/8" pipe plug or fitting, and see how it fits. If it looks good then it is the pickup tube.

 

[69Bee]

No such thing as Heli-Coil NPT anything as far as I know but, on the other hand, Timesert has a kit PN#0318 to repair a 3/8"NPT hole. It is expensive for the casual user, and the larger hole can be a bitch drilling by hand. I tried to get the drill size, but it is not listed. It would be cheaper to get a 1/2"NPT pickup and attempt to drill and tap for that. The threads on the 3/8" pickup might be worn (in addition to the worn hole threads), and a new 3/8" pickup with red or green Loctite might work too. I like using green Loctite for sleeves as it dries much faster. I used it once on a sleeve for a Ford 390, and it locked up halfway into the block.

Just got a call back for the drill size for the 3/8"NPT kit, and it is 23/32" (0.71878"). That is a lot of torque for a drill and your hands.

 

[Rishi]

Professional Helical Thread Repair Kit: 3/8-18 NPT, 0.407" Length

FYI, drilling for the 3/8-18 NPT Heli-Coil will be a smaller hole than the 1/2-20 NPT. So if you're concerned about risk in cracking the block, the smaller hore may afford less risk to your underparts.

Professional Helical Thread Repair Kit: 1/2-14 NPT, 0.534" Length

 

[BSB67]

Is it safe to repair the oil tube threads in the block by drilling and taping larger in order to us a NPT 3/8 18 helicoil? or NPTF.
Tube is loose and goes in to far for proper fit.
Other options?
Thanks

Curious. How did you get to this point? Post a pic of the end of the pickup and a pic of it “to far” into the block.

The factory PU is a straight thread. The tube is soft and likely the cause of any slop. If the first couple threads of the PU look rolled, that likely the problem. Seems unlikely the block threads gave-it-up unless something went really wrong.

I’d also guess that a little PU thread clean up, and chase it with a die you could’ve simply get it tight with one more PU rotation.