I will say this as succinctly as I can: That sucks!!
LOL. I am with you there! S**t happens, and we have to deal with it. Unfortunately, based on a couple of responses I have received on my transmission thread, it looks like this one might cost me...:angryfire:
Well, while I was waiting for this fine forum to help me figure out how much I had screwed up, I fixed my bolt holes in my bell housing. I put HeliCoils in the holes. Only one was stripped, but HeliCoils are actually much stronger than aluminum, so I decided to HeliCoil all four holes to ensure I don't have any issues in the future.
If you have never used HeliCoils before, the basic process is this:
(1) Drill the hole out with a specific size drill bit (for these it was 29/64").
(2) Use their tap to cut new threads.
(3) Insert a Heli-Coil using their special insertion tool. It grabs a "tang" on the bottom of the coil. As you thread it in, it stretches the coil out and makes it easy to insert.
(4) Once inserted about 1/2 turn below the surface of the metal, use a punch to break off the tang.
It is now done!
Here is a picture of the kit instructions along with a HeliCoil. Note tang on bottom.
Here is the HeliCoil on the insertion tool. Simply thread into the hole, then break off the tang.