Stripped out connrod bolt hole

[KEN_W]

Hello,
I seem to have stripped out one of the con rod bolt holes for the big-end bearing caps. Has anyone ever used a Time-Sert or Helicoil(not really looking forward to that, but I would trust a Time-Sert) for this type of repair? Is it reccommended or should I start looking for a new con rod? Thank you!  

[montmil]

Personally, I would not trust either of the inserts you mentioned as a repair procedure on the connecting rod. And tapping the hole for a larger/heavier bolt would throw off the rotational balance; creating additional issues.

Better to replace the rod now than wait for a probable fix-failure to destroy the entire engine. Consider the cost of either option in both time and money.

[smiley=2cents.gif]

[tvrla]

When a used rod costs $25 or $30, It's not worth the attempt.

I've never heard of one stripping out. They're so rugged I wouldn't guess it's possible. I think they might be from a 6 cylinder 3 liter car.

The R65 rods are shorter, and I was thinking of the rods for the bigger bikes; those are the ones I believe came from the 6 cylinder car. Not the 650 rods, but you get the idea - these things are beefy for a motorcycle.

[KEN_W]

There's a reason why you may have never heard of this happening. It's because it didn't! This bike is going back together in fits and starts as I scrape money together. I had a look at it yesterday and saw that I had actually rounded off the HEAD of the cap bolt. I have a memory like a steel sieve! And now I have a different problem: Getting that bolt out so I can replace it and put the right torque on it. Thanks for the responses though!

[Armen]

Drill into the center of the cap bolt. Keep increasing size of the bit until you reach the diameter of the bolt. Then pull the rod apart and unscrew the part of the bolt that is left sticking out with a pair of vise grips.

[Julio A.]

^And use a very good drill bit with that. I snapped a hardened steel and somehow stripped a stainless steel bit on one. The fasteners they used on these bikes are really good.

[Bob_Roller]

Whatever you do, don't use an 'easy out' type tool, chances are you will break it off and compound your problems .

[KEN_W]

Thanks guys, I'm picking up a set of cobalt bits tomorrow.

[Bob_Roller]

I remember seeing this tool set at a Sears store awile back .

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-bolt-out-5-pc-damaged-bolt-nut-remover/p-00952061000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=88&blockType=G88#reviewsWrap


The reviews for the tool shows they sometimes won't work, if the bolt or nut is  too  damaged .

Just thought I'd mention it !!!!!

[tvrla]

I really don't like the idea of drilling the head off a conrod bolt while installed in the engine. I'd save that as a last resort.

How about jamming something in the head of the bolt so that it tightens the fit of the tool? A bit of aluminum maybe? Perhaps there's an allen wrench size that will jam in there?

How tight is it? What torque did you get to when it stripped?