And it was all going so well.....

Everything has been going really well as I reassemble my 73 850 MkI. All the refurbished and refinished bits have been assembling without a hitch. That is until I was tightening up the head stay 5/16 x 22 bolts. One was stripped. Although it removed during disassembly normally, it did have a bunch of thread sealer on it which I just shrugged off and moved on.

Fortunately, it is on the left side and not the center so I have access to install a “sert” in situ. It appears there is enough meat around this as to not have issues drilling and tapping but I’d thought I should check with you’all if there is anything I should be aware of. I did find a BSF 5/16 x 22 kit in stock at Bay Fastening Systems, www.bayfastening.com so that part is handled.

Thanks

The thread repair kit arrived just now and I guess someone would have spoke up if there were anything to be concerned with when installing an insert in the head stay holes, so I'm on with it then.

Thanks for the great forum, it's been a lot of help especially through the search function on numerous topics.

MCA said:

The thread repair kit arrived just now and I guess someone would have spoke up if there were anything to be concerned with when installing an insert in the head stay holes, so I'm on with it then.

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Yes. Been there done that, so there's nothing to be too concerned about, just don't run the tap drill in deeper than is necessary.

Thanks you L.A.B., went off without a hitch. Would a bit of anti-seize on these be appropriate?

MCA said:

Thanks you L.A.B., went off without a hitch. Would a bit of anti-seize on these be appropriate?

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If you are using SS bolts

FWIW, remember if you are using fittings that are a different grade than OEM, the torque settings may be totally inappropriate. IOW, a torque setting for a grade three nut/bolt will generally be lower than the setting for a grade 8 of the same size. If you use grade three setting for a grade 8 bolt, for example. the bolt will not stretch properly and can easily loosen over time. Of course, if the bolt is screwing into aluminum, the AL threads are the limiting factor and the OEM torque settings should be used regardless of bolt grade.

Arbitrarily replacing OEM nuts/bolts with higher grade, (stronger) nuts/bolts is not generally useful. If it is done, then the torque settings should be adjusted appropriately ASSUMING the related components can handle the additional tension without breaking/warping.