Opened My Own Machine Shop

[joemathews]

Originally Posted by beatdown944

Re: huh (Post #16)


Quote:
Originally Posted by beatdown944
wait! so the bolts came out and left the threads in the housing? would'nt it be possible to chase the threads out and use new bolts of the same size?
using the proper size tap of course.

Possibly...I've heard that the Evo16g housing is a PITA to tap, and the idea of a helicoil insert that holds the OEM bolt in instead of the high-nickel-content turbine housing itself appeals to me.

[CBURKE]

COOL, Just put some anticeas on it this time!!!.......lol

[kjewer1]

That is what I was refering to above. It can be done. The concern is not being able to line up the new threads with the old. If the first couple threads are still good the tap will self align to those naturally. If the banjaxed bolt damaged the first few threads, it can be difficult. Two sets of half threads will be half as strong, probably less. OTherwise, its worth a shot.

Helicoils sound risky in this envronment. Maybe another type of insert would be better. Timeserts perhaps. At any rate, it beats buying a new housing, worth a shot.

[joemathews]

Actually the first few threads are still intact, I think. I'm going to try to pull the turbo off today and call some machine shops to see if they'll take the job. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions, guys.

I just keep telling myself, "without the bitter, the sweet just ain't as sweet!" When you get your car running again after a problem like this, there are few better feelings, IMO

[CBURKE]

Yeah keep saying that lol. I have now pulled my motor for a 2nd time and i'll just keep saying what you said..........

I still have never seen bolts do that on a turbo. And i still go with, they got f-ed up when they where going in not comeing out.

[joemathews]

I also wanted to ask if anyone has suggestions for removing the turbine housing--anything I should know before I just follow the vfaq turbo rebuild to the point of having the turbine housing off.

I found a machine shop that can retap the threads for $5 a hole, and helicoil the housing for $10 a hole. Feel free to voice your opinions on which they should try

I'm tempted to have them retap the housing if it will work...Kevin, why did you say helicoils sounded iffy to you?

[CBURKE]

Originally Posted by joemathews

I also wanted to ask if anyone has suggestions for removing the turbine housing--anything I should know before I just follow the vfaq turbo rebuild to the point of having the turbine housing off.

I found a machine shop that can retap the threads for $5 a hole, and helicoil the housing for $10 a hole. Feel free to voice your opinions on which they should try

I'm tempted to have them retap the housing if it will work...Kevin, why did you say helicoils sounded iffy to you?

Have them retap it but make sure that the stock bolts will still fit. Are they gonna weld the holes closed then retap? Why do you wanna take the turbo apart? Do you have to?

[joemathews]

I assume they're going to want the turbine housing off so that no metal dust gets in the turbo at all.

[beatdown944]

I say invest in the right size tap just in case something like this happens again.

[CBURKE]

Why didn't you ask jack what happend? lol

[TsiTalon9587]

Well. I think it's my duty to have an input on your situation Joe. I have an evo16g, and my bolts were backing out. I went to tighten it, and it wouldn't move. So I then try to loosen the others hoping it would give some play for the first one. No dice. I went to take them all out, and I stripped two of the 4 on the way out. Long story short, I ended up drilling out, (went through 3-4 titanium bits, and 2.5 hours) before I got through both. Then tapping was horrible as well. I ended up drilling out my manifold as well, which sucked, and is very, very hard to do. It's almost easier and worth just getting another housing. Trust me, that is not an easy project. PITA times 10. But, and I can attest, it can be done.

[joemathews]

Thanks for the personal experience, TsiTalon. The turbo will be out tomorrow, and I'm taking it to a machine shop to have them do SS helicoils on it, probably Monday. I'm not going to fool around with this stuff myself...just not worth it.

If I have to get a new housing, I will, but I like my ported Evo housing

[kjewer1]

Originally Posted by CBURKE

I still have never seen bolts do that on a turbo. And i still go with, they got f-ed up when they where going in not comeing out.

I've seen it dozens of times. They go in fine (new bolts, new turbo), but come out like this. High temperature, high stress, vibration, etc. Shit, the new ACT flywheels are welding themselves to peoples cranks. The materials being used have a huge impact on things like this.

Joe, you can remvoe the turbine housing without removing the turbo, if you didnt know this already. Just take out the 4 turbo bolts, DP bolts, and O2 sensor (or unplug it), and undo the bandclamp. I could have the housing of the car and on the table for porting in 10 minutes when I used to do a lot of that.

I'm not a big fan of helicoils any more. They usually work, but something like timeserts seem much more effective. Especially in this hostile environment. Ask the machine shop, they may have some valuable input if they have experience with high temp/vibration equipment.

[joemathews]

Okay, Kevin...I'll see what they can do. Would it be safe to have the turbine wheel exposed, even if it's under my hood? I have to park my car outside in a parking lot, and there's no telling when there will be rain.

[kjewer1]

That should be fine.