The Ford Barn

adileo · 02-07-2019, 07:34 PM

1939 coupe

Had my radiator professionally cleaned. Putting everything back together. Got 3 of the four bolts on the fan tight. One bolt won’t tighten, only snug and then turns.

1) use lock tight?
2) buy four longer bolts and add nut an lock washer? Does balance matter?
3) only by 1 longer bolt and add nut and lock washer?

JSeery · 02-07-2019, 07:48 PM

It's striped, I would put a heli-coil or insert in it. You could go to a larger bolt size but there could be a balance issue, but I would think it would be very slight.

flatjack9 · 02-07-2019, 08:00 PM

At that small radius, I doubt you would have a balance problem

flatjack9 · 02-07-2019, 08:01 PM

At that small radius, I doubt you would have a balance issue.

cmbrucew · 02-07-2019, 08:41 PM

Drill and tap four new holes between original holes.
Bruce

B-O-B · 02-07-2019, 09:58 PM

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You might try a metric bolt.

40cpe · 02-07-2019, 10:32 PM

If there is a metric size smaller than the next fraction size, re-tap for the metric. I would consider also changing the bolt opposite the stripped bolt for balance sake.

JWL · 02-08-2019, 07:14 AM

Put a nut on and NO LOCK WASHER.

adileo · 02-08-2019, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWL

Put a nut on and NO LOCK WASHER.

JWL thanks. just on the one? No balance issues?

19Fordy · 02-08-2019, 08:22 AM

I would try the metric bolt first. If that doesn't work, I would use a helicoil, if possible.
Just curious. What size are the threads and what is their depth? Can you post a photo?

adileo · 02-08-2019, 08:27 AM

Very tight spot. If JWL idea of nut and no lock washer for just the one would work that would be best

joe 1950 · 02-08-2019, 11:44 AM

Do all the bolts stick through that far then put nuts on all 4

nickthebandit · 02-08-2019, 02:48 PM

Logical advice from joe 1950.

V12Bill · 02-08-2019, 03:14 PM

Is te4 bolt stripped or is the base stripped also? Pull a clean bolt out and try that in the Stripped hole. You may get lucky and only the bolt is stripped. Before putting in a new bolt, run a tap or thread chaser through the hole first to straighten any bent threads.

95476 · 02-08-2019, 03:22 PM

Weld up the hole and re tap it.
You don't want the fan coming off later on even though the chances of that are slim.
Do it right and there is one less thing to think about while driving down the highway.

adileo · 02-08-2019, 03:41 PM

Thanks guys it was the base that’s stripped. I don’t know how to weld. I added 4 nuts, as suggested, with a dab of lock tight on each.

19Fordy · 02-08-2019, 03:53 PM

Good solution. You will be safe and sound for many more miles.

Royal Ryser · 02-08-2019, 07:04 PM

Good solution. "If it ain't broke, don't break it."
Another solution would be to JB weld the bolt into the stripped hole. Three bolts will hold the fan OK and the glued-in bolt would takes care of the balance problem.

02-07-2019, 07:34 PM	#1
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	What would u do? 1939 coupe Had my radiator professionally cleaned. Putting everything back together. Got 3 of the four bolts on the fan tight. One bolt won’t tighten, only snug and then turns. 1) use lock tight? 2) buy four longer bolts and add nut an lock washer? Does balance matter? 3) only by 1 longer bolt and add nut and lock washer? __________________ Thanks Andy 1952 F1

02-07-2019, 07:48 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: What would u do? It's striped, I would put a heli-coil or insert in it. You could go to a larger bolt size but there could be a balance issue, but I would think it would be very slight.

02-07-2019, 08:00 PM	#3
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: What would u do? At that small radius, I doubt you would have a balance problem

02-07-2019, 08:01 PM	#4
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: What would u do? At that small radius, I doubt you would have a balance issue.

02-07-2019, 08:41 PM	#5
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: What would u do? Drill and tap four new holes between original holes. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

02-07-2019, 09:58 PM	#6
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,987	Re: What would u do? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You might try a metric bolt.

02-07-2019, 10:32 PM	#7
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: What would u do? If there is a metric size smaller than the next fraction size, re-tap for the metric. I would consider also changing the bolt opposite the stripped bolt for balance sake.

02-08-2019, 07:14 AM	#8
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: What would u do? Put a nut on and NO LOCK WASHER.

02-08-2019, 08:22 AM	#10
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,944	Re: What would u do? I would try the metric bolt first. If that doesn't work, I would use a helicoil, if possible. Just curious. What size are the threads and what is their depth? Can you post a photo?

02-08-2019, 11:44 AM	#12
joe 1950 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Green Bay Wi Posts: 400	Re: What would u do? Do all the bolts stick through that far then put nuts on all 4

02-08-2019, 02:48 PM	#13
nickthebandit Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shippensburg, pa. Posts: 416	Re: What would u do? Logical advice from joe 1950.

02-08-2019, 03:14 PM	#14
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: What would u do? Is te4 bolt stripped or is the base stripped also? Pull a clean bolt out and try that in the Stripped hole. You may get lucky and only the bolt is stripped. Before putting in a new bolt, run a tap or thread chaser through the hole first to straighten any bent threads.

02-08-2019, 03:22 PM	#15
95476 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 413	Re: What would u do? Weld up the hole and re tap it. You don't want the fan coming off later on even though the chances of that are slim. Do it right and there is one less thing to think about while driving down the highway.

02-08-2019, 03:41 PM	#16
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: What would u do? Thanks guys it was the base that’s stripped. I don’t know how to weld. I added 4 nuts, as suggested, with a dab of lock tight on each. __________________ Thanks Andy 1952 F1

02-08-2019, 03:53 PM	#17
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,944	Re: What would u do? Good solution. You will be safe and sound for many more miles.

02-08-2019, 07:04 PM	#18
Royal Ryser Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 553	Re: What would u do? Good solution. "If it ain't broke, don't break it." Another solution would be to JB weld the bolt into the stripped hole. Three bolts will hold the fan OK and the glued-in bolt would takes care of the balance problem.