C2: Carburetor leaking discovered striped stud/manifold

[Bad65]

OK...I need to stop looking under the hood because I keep finding little things. I have noticed small accumulation of gas under the carburetor. I tried to tighten the bolts on the carb and noticed the front left one was stripped. I removed the stud to discover it was stripped in the manifold. Autozone guy recommended to use some "glue" insta something and fix it that way. I want to fix it the right way. Any recommendation? Tap and Die the hole bigger and use a larger stud? Any ideas... I know someone out there has experienced this before and has the right solution.

Thanks!
Vanessa

 

[allcoupedup]

Sounds like its Heli-Coil time! You could always drill and tap to the next larger size but that solution is getting into bubba territory. A Heli-Coil repair inserts new internal threads which allows you to use the standard stud.

The process of installing a heli-coil involves drilling the old stripped threads out, tapping with a special tap, and inserting the heli-coil with a special tool. I haven't actually done this (yet) but it is the "right" way to repair stripped holes. Don't mess with epoxies or glues - they are temporary fixes.

http://www.emhart.com/products/helicoil.html

I've heard these kits aren't cheap. In my opinion, it's the onlly way to go on something like a manifold stud.

Brian

 

[67ragtop]

I agree, a heli-coil is the way to go. I’ve used them for motorcycle repairs and they work great. The repair is as strong as new and permanent.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Sounds hard but its not.

Most important is once the carb is removed tape off the manifold opening so no metal fileings find there way in.

2nd most important is to drill straight in.

 

[studiog]

Just a caution... After you do fix the stud take care not to overtighten the carb nuts when you reinstall the carb, especially if the carb has an aluminium base, which yours probably does. Just snug should be tight enough.

 

[Grizzly]

Couple of things, if one was stripped maybe there are more ready to go. Check it carefully and when you are set up to do one you might as well do all. End of all problems of that nature

Secondly, I doubt if a puddle of fuel would come from that problem. We are talking about a potential fire hazard here! You need to find that leakage and fix it now!

 

[Bad65]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I have noticed that it has stopped the leak. The three other good bolts needed tightening. I was only leaking about a 1/4 teaspoon or less on eachside of the carb after it sat for a day after driving it. They guy at autozone also thought I had something caught up in my carb and he tapped it with a screwdriver and it seemed to stop the slow drip it had. It's a holley carb only two years old. But I did invest in a good fire extinguisher, since I read one of the post from the forum on how important they are with old cars.

 

[myonnone]

I can't imagine what could have been "caught up" in the carb that would cause a leak. I would investigate further, much further. Check the fuel bowl screws (4 on each end of the carb) for tightness. Don't take this one too lightly, a gas fire is not a pretty site.

Even at 2 years old there may some gasket(s) that need to be replaced.

 

[Grizzly]

I agree with Myonnone. Gas running on a warm manifold will evaporate really quickly and provide a nice combustable mixture. Wipe everything up, start the car and try to find some damp area. You can probably feel it before you can see it.

I don't want to slam the girls and guys at Auto Zone but they are not mechanics or else they would be work as one. Join a club, ask the folks there who to go see if you can't do it yourself. Or better still have someone teach you how to do some of these things. I have been fooling with cars for more than 40 years and for the most part car nuts are are a very giving group and are glad to help the newcomer.

Enjoy that wonderful car...............

 

[66427-450]

I agree, a heli-coil is the way to go. I’ve used them for motorcycle repairs and they work great. The repair is as strong as new and permanent.

i know a guy (no, it wasn't me.... lol) that used HD epoxy (BJ weld). it worked great, that stud was in there to stay.

 

[Bad65]

Good news is the carb isn't leaking. Drove the vette for the past two days and everthing is dry. So having tightened the other three bolts on the carb may have helped for now. I will get the heli-coil done at some point on the stripped manifold. Add it to the list of things to do. Thanks for all the great posts.