Should I worry about these goobered aluminum intake threads?
I recently ended up having to drill out a temperature sender and I goobered up the threads. The new sender screws in nice and tight but I'm worried water may leak out. Should I put in a helicoil? or cross my fingers and get it reskinned like I planned and then try it on the car? I've also got some marine aluminum putty, but I imagine it would cause the sender to read wrong.
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Re: Should I worry about these goobered aluminum intake threads?
Ian, I think those threads will leak. Seal is via the wedging action of the tapered threads on the sending unit and, in my experience, the female threads have to be just about perfect. I've tried and failed to make less than perfect female threads seal.
As far as using the marine putty, sure, why not? You've got nothing to lose and it won't affect the reading from the sending unit.
Jim -
Re: Should I worry about these goobered aluminum intake threads?
I agree that it will probably leak if left uncorrected. If you fill in the threads with epoxy some of the area will likely still conduct. Electrically conductive adhesives are available too. I have read you can make your own conductive epoxy recipe by adding graphite to the mix.
You might try this as a process to rebuild the damaged threads...
Acquire a PVC fitting of the correct male thread. Lay in a layer of conductive epoxy* to the threads of the damaged area. Apply a lubricant(release agent) to the threads of the PVC fitting and apply the epoxy to it's threads also. Thread it into the manifold. Get it just tight enough by hand to fill the damaged aluminum threads. Let it cure. Remove the PVC fitting and I think the damaged threads will be filled in well enough for a proper seal with the sender. I would add a thread sealant on it.
*This product may be a choice...
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