How to re-thread the bell housing?

[brsox88]

So while replacing the bellows on my outdrive of m 1996 Monterey 180 BR I noticed the threads of the bell that hold the end of that cable into the outdrive are gone so it just pulls right though. Its the cable that I think engages forward/neutral/reverse? Anyways, after trying to fix it with a 1/2-13 heilicoil kit and noticing it wouldnt screw in correctly I went to the marina. He said its quarter pipe. So what do I do? Do they make a "quarter pipe" heilicoil or tap and die? I am guessing this is going to be tricky to fix now that I tapped it with what came in my 1/2-13 kit.. I am assuming this cable is the same used across most alpha out-drives, and I figure this has happened for other people as well so anyone with any advice please help!

 

[Pete104]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

The "marina" didn't tell you that there is a special tool for this, did they? Very special tool! On top of that, you wouldn't have needed it.

Get some pic of what exactly you think you have a problem with.

Did you already open the hole to 1/2-13?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Ayuh,... Not only is it 1/4" pipe thread, it's a Non-tapered 1/4" pipe thread...

At this point, I'd say ya need a new bellhousing...

 

[Don S]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Ayuh,... Not only is it 1/4" pipe thread, it's a Non-tapered 1/4" pipe thread...

At this point, I'd say ya need a new bellhousing...

Once you lost the original threads, you lost the bellhousing. You need to get a new one, no doubt about it.

 

[brsox88]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

I will get some pics, but Im lost, the guy at the marina said its not a fun job but its not a hard job either. Just need to rethread it with quarter pipe...whatever that means.

Why would I need a whole new bell housing? And where can I find one? (im not sure what I am looking for). I thought there would be some kind of solution like the heilicoil as that seemed like it would work..

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Just need to rethread it with quarter pipe...whatever that means.

Ayuh,... Did you read My post,..??
I can't explain it Any clearer...

Why would I need a whole new bell housing?

Because you drilled it out Too Big...
You can't cut new threads in Air, the metal is GONE....

And where can I find one? (im not sure what I am looking for).

You need another Bellhousing that fits Your drive...
ebay, or craigslist for used,...
Mercruiser for New...

 

[brsox88]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

I just dont understand why I would need a whole new bell housing when there must be some type of solution for blown threads. They make like time serts, perma coils, heilicoils, and other things that fit larger blown thread holes that allow your original thread to fit into. I just don't know what and what size to get...

There is no way I can afford to buy a new used $500 bell housing then redo the 5 hour job of installing the bellows..

 

[eldplanko]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Just an idea... Can he drill it out and get a bushing on there?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

I just don't know what and what size to get...

Ayuh,... READ the 1st line of post #3....

If you can find a helicoil in 1/4" straight pipe thread,...
Go for it...

Just an idea... Can he drill it out and get a bushing on there?

Sure,... Drop a couple hundred at a Machine Shop, or buy a used bellhousing for under a hundred...

Your choice I guess...

 

[brsox88]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

I am just shocked at all the different types of thread repair kits there is nothing that will work? I am not very familiar with thread repair, so I was hoping someone here would know of a solution..

Like the other guy said...maybe press a metal bushing type thing in there and thread it to 1/4 pipe thread?? Would 1/4" Straight Pipe Thread be called something else like sae 1/4" or metric blah blah? As I am having a hard time finding a 1/4 pipe helicoil...they must have some kind of kit for pipe threads though...

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

As I am having a hard time finding a 1/4 pipe helicoil...

Ayuh,... My point, Exactly....

It's an oddball threading...
And,...
1/4" pipe thread is normally Tapered...
The bellhousing is 1/4" pipe thread, Straight, Not tapered...

Ya can keep cryin' about it, or find a used bellhousing....

 

[brsox88]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Ok well I guess I am not too keen to go spend $300-500 on a used bell house when there are dozens of re-thread kit options out there. Like even if I had to do something like put the cable into the whole with it gunked up with jb weld on each side, then use a rubberize silicone over that or something...

I am just surprised no one can think of anything

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Ok well I guess I am not too keen to go spend $300-500 on a used bell house when there are dozens of re-thread kit options out there. Like even if I had to do something like put the cable into the whole with it gunked up with jb weld on each side, then use a rubberize silicone over that or something...

I am just surprised no one can think of anything

Ayuh,... Good Luck with that....

You obviously don't understand mechanical machinery...

 

[brsox88]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

I just wanted to update this thread in the event someone searches this issue and finds this post. I dont want them to think there is no solution to this problem.

When everyone stated this issue could only be fixed by buying a new bell housing I had a hard time believing that. They do infact make pipe thread helicoil kits, however they are more expensive and wouldn't work for me since I made the mistake of drilling it to 1/2. So even though everyone said a bushing wouldnt work I found that is actually false. They make reducer bushings that work perfect for this situation.

SOLUTION:

Drill the hole with a 9/16 drill bit. Use a 3/8 Pipe Tap and re-thread it. Buy a 3/8 x 1/4 reducer pipe bushing and screw it onto your shift cable with teflon tape on the 1/4 shift cable threads. Install the cable back into your new threads and your done.

 

[Don S]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

You may have installed the bushing and made it look good, but you haven't put it all together and got it to shift right. That is obvious since the bushing would stick out to far aft for the shift cable to work.
Plus, you can't use the shift cable with tapered threads in the bushing.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Tough one... The manual states straight threads not tapered which NPT is.

The bushing may cause the actual shifting to be off.... believe it or not, since it causes the threads of the shift cable to be out a little further from the "transom" if you will.

The threads on the shift cable are straight not tapered. you are at the point where you are. Try it and let us know how you make out..

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Ok well I guess I am not too keen to go spend $300-500 on a used bell house when there are dozens of re-thread kit options out there. Like even if I had to do something like put the cable into the whole with it gunked up with jb weld on each side, then use a rubberize silicone over that or something...

I am just surprised no one can think of anything

The reason you didn't get a positive response from this comment is because the ones responding to this are actual marine mechanics except for myself. They would not butch something like what your mentioning in this statement and charge a customer for it.

If you were a paying customer would you want a marine mechanic to JB the threads back cause they're oversized? You'd be P..Off.

 

[Pete104]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

Without seeing the finished product, he may be on to something! I'd really like to see it. He needs a few more steps & he's out of the woods!

 

[brsox88]

Re: How to re-thread the bell housing?

The reason you didn't get a positive response from this comment is because the ones responding to this are actual marine mechanics except for myself. They would not butch something like what your mentioning in this statement and charge a customer for it.

If you were a paying customer would you want a marine mechanic to JB the threads back cause they're oversized? You'd be P..Off.

Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned it works fine. You have a good inch of adjustment play to work with. Did have to of course adjust the cable, but that was to be expected. I understand they wouldn't do this on a customers boat, but it doesn't mean there is no solution for something like this when in reality there are a few. Bushing route was just the easiest for me. Also, the threads of the cable fit into the bushing just fine.