When in the course of boating events ...

[mjf55]

... it becomes necessary for one mechanic to dissolve the corroded bonds that connect one part with another and to assume that the bolt snaps,
what is a decent brand of taps to use that will not break the bank. Having a 1989 Yamaha that was used extensively in the lower Chesapeake Bay, and the PO / PM (previous mechanic ) apparently did not believe in anti-seize or grease on the bolts, so it is inevitable to snap one or two. After drilling them out, that is where I could use some advise on tap ( and die ) manufactures.

Thanks.

 

[Ned L]

Are these bolts in steel or aluminum? Presuming aluminum.

Either way,.. If you can drill on center you should really be able 'chase' the original threads. Any decent tape works ok for cutting or chasing threads. Just be sure to back it out every turn or so to clear the cuttings. Also use cutting oil.

 

[mjf55]

Ned, thanks for the response. Mainly use is in aluminum. I was just trying to find out what a decent brand is? Craftsman, Irwin, Neiko, Lang, etc. Do not want to go too expensive, but dont want junk that will break.

 

[R055]

You trying to buy a whole set or just the individual ones you need?

I find it cheaper to buy only one that you need at the moment.
The decent ones are about $10-15. Also cutting oil is nice but motor oil will do the trick.

 

[mjf55]

Just looking for the ones i need, and i have cutting oil. I use it to drill the hole.

 

[CV16]

If you can see any part of the threads, heat them up good and melt some candle wax on it. Works amazingly well.

 

[Grub54891]

We use this at the shop for aluminum. it seems to work ok. As far as wax, it has to be pure beeswax, the old timers say it works great. Never tried it myself, they heat the bolt before attempting to remove it and melt the wax in. It may work in some applications, but aluminum bolts are usually pretty corroded and not much space for most anything to get in there.

 

[mjf55]

Thanks for the tips, just to be clear, right now it is steel bolts in aluminum parts, like thermostat housing to aluminum head. I am sure if i go after the head at some point, I believe the block is steel, so it would be steel cutting.

Ill probably stay away from beeswax ( thanks cv) but look into the tap magic cutting oil. Right now i have home depot cutting oil fourn in the plumbing section.

Still no recommendations on tap manufacturers?

 

[Ned L]

I mentioned above that any decent tap will work. Any one of the names you listed will do fine. If a tap of that size breaks I would have to say it's operator error and not the tap.
Thermostat housing?,.... I'd guess at something in the range of 1/4 20 or so,... Shouldn't cost more than about $5-7 at most. (I'm not suggesting it is a 1/4 20, just using that as a reference.)

As a suggestion for any other bolts you might have to remove (steel bolt I aluminum), use a torch to heat the surrounding aluminum well before forcing things. Aluminum expands much more than steel when it is heated, so it will expand away from the steel bolt. Patience is your friend in the process. Lots of heat fast is best.

Also, if you can drill the broken bolt dead on center you can sometimes use a sharp punch and light hammer and actually force the remains of the steel threads to the center of the hole and pull the spiral out with needle nose pliers.

 

[mjf55]

Ned, thanks for the responses. I got a few specific sizes from amazon, no name but decent reviews. I bought a mapp torch when I first started, and it worked wonders, but I snapped 2, 1 in the thermostat housing, one in the lower unit drive shaft bearing case. Drilled out, and ready to tap. Thanks for your responses Ned and thanks to all for the hints and tips

 

[mjf55]

Ned, thanks for the responses. I got a few specific sizes from amazon, no name but decent reviews.
I bought a mapp torch when I first started, and it worked wonders, but I snapped 2, 1 in the thermostat housing, one in the lower unit drive shaft bearing case.
Drilled out, and ready to tap.

Thanks for your responses Ned and thanks to all for the hints and tips

 

[MH Hawker]

i all ways bought mine through napa,

 

[Ned L]

MAP gas would be good (lots of heat fast). Slow and easy with tapping.
If things don't work out with the tapping ( and for some reason the threads end up all buggered) you can always go with a "Helicoil". ...Do you know what those are? They REALLY do work, and work well.
Recutting threads from a steel bolt in aluminum can sometimes be "not fun", it would give you the best results of you are able to chase the old threads (actually get the tap to follow the original aluminum threads). Again, this can be helped by seeing if you can get some of the steel thread remains out of the aluminum so the tap has something to start in.
Slow and careful.
Good luck.

 

[mjf55]

Yes, my son introduced me to helicoils, and i will move to them if i do not have sucess. I understand I need patience, but as i tell folks, " I ain't no doctor but I'm loosin my paitence."
Seriously , I indend to go slow. thanks all for the tips.