MTFCA Forum

After reinstalling my 4th main I realized I need to put a helicoil in the pan. The bottom left bolt is loose. Of course the radius rods are in the way of a drill. Any way I can do the drilling without having to remove the rear axle?

You could try using a right angle drive attachment on your drill.

Usually if you cut about 30% off a nut to fit against the pan side and a longer bolt, will make a satisfactory repair.

There is a fine thread metric bolt that is just a bit larger, retap the hole for it, have done it several times. Hope this helps.

Joe, that would be 10mm x 1.25 pitch. No need to drill at all. Just tap the new thread into the existing hole. The helicoil can be fitted whenever the pan is exposed some time later.

Allan from down under.

We have done the metric bolt replacement on Model A rear ends for the axle housings to center section. Great idea!

Paint or punch mark the metric bolt to keep track of it during any future service work. A dab of paint to mark the bolt and its position would be a good idea.

Thank you Joe and Allan. I will do that.

Metrics bolts have distinctive markings on the head. Leave them on for identification. Or grind them off if you are competitively showing the car.
Art Mirtes

Bud Delong was the one that filled me in on the metric years ago and has worked for me many times, Thanks Bud!

The metric substitution works in some cases and not in others. 6mm and 12mm are undersize on their imperial equivalents of 1/4" and 1/2" so no joy there. 8 mm and 10mm are oversize to their equivalent imperial sizes of 5/16" and 3/8" and can be of benefit there.
I also discovered that when fitting a Moore accessory gearbox with a 13 tooth pinion gear to a back axle assembly, the original driveshaft bearing spool bolts/studs cannot be used. It has to be fitted by first bolting the spool to the gearbox and then bolting the assembly to the axle assembly, to those six odd sized holes Henry used for the purpose. I found 12mm x 1.5 pitch were an acceptable fit, winding in some 8-9 turns before any interference was felt.
I know this info helped a gentleman in Spokane who wanted to fit a Moore gearbox to the Ruckstell in his 27 tourer. That gave him two sticks to shift and 8 speeds to select, there being little difference for him than driving the two stick Kenworth mining truck he drove for work.

Allan from down under.

Thank you for your kind words Joe!! Bud.