These little 10 dollar bolts have put a stick in my front tire... they really slowed me down on my build.

Looks like I need to chase the threads to "start" the new bolts cuz i kept spinning them and flattened out the starting threads on the female part. I have 2 new bolts and 4 new seals ready to go. anyone have any ideas on a thread chaser size? or another idea to get thes PITA bolts started and installed?


BTW I purchased a SparkPlug chaser will this pitch work?

 

Buy the thread chase/cleaner set at Sears for about $50.00
You will use it time and time again. Do NOT use a tap.

 

you sure sears has the right pitch in that kit?

The passenger head is perfect, that damn drivers head is a PITA i think i may need to retap it... unless the chaser can create the first few threads so i can start the bolt...

 

Assuming it is in the car and you are working blind on it...Can you try to put the bolt in without the steam pipe? An if you have an old bolt, you might be able to make a thread chaser out of that by slightly tapering the end (without distorting the threads) and cutting a couple flutes in it with a mototool or a file. If you do that, use some grease or something on it to gather the chips.

 

If the stem pipe bango doesn't fit flat on the head it can angle the bolt in such a way as to not let it start straight. Did it get bent?

 

the bolt is going in about 2 spins on an angle and popping out.

The motor is out of the car... and won't go in till i get this steamline situation covered... even if I tap plumbing fittings and run a rubber hose lol...

How do i make a chaser out of the bolt... i don't understand...

 

He means to take one of the old bolts and file down two or three of the threads down some in the end of the bolt. This will allow you to get the bolt into some good threads. Just like a tap. The ends are tapered.



I have a new steam pipe and bolts I have not used yet. I opened the bag and pulled out one of the bolts. As best I can tell, the threads are National Fine 18 threads per inch. Total diameter of the bolt is 1/2". I don't have any taps in my chaser set that is 1/2 -18, so I could not test it. Either it's an odd size or I'm doing something wrong.

 

They are 1/4-18 pipe straight (not tapered) threads.

 

You need a flat bottom tap because the hole is shallow. be careful that you don't go too deep when tapping or chasing the treads in the head because if you bottom out and keep going you will wipe out all the threads. Always start the bolt stright, Don't put a wrench on the bolt until you get at least 3 complete turns on the bolt by hand. The bottom 2 taps in the photo above should not be used, the top one is not tapered and is the type to use.

 

You can get straight thread pipe taps @ use-enco.com. I use them everywhere. B.

 

Ahhh......that would explain why my chasers would not fit. I don't have any pipe chasers or taps. Also explains why I could not find any 1/2-18 NF sizes.

 

You guys are the best thanks!