Q-Jet fuel inlet thread repair

[Greg L.]

How difficult is it to repair these threads with the heli-coil method and where can you buy the repair kit?

I may have come across a date correct 29204 carb for my 69 but it may need the inlet threads repaired so I just want to know if it's easy enough for an average guy to do or if it has to be sent out to a carb shop?

Any ideas on what a carb shop would want to do this kind of repair or what the repair kit costs if I choose to do it myself?

Thanks.

Greg Linton
#45455

[Erich C.]

Re: Q-Jet fuel inlet thread repair

No idea what a carb shop would charge but the insert ( 7/8-20 ) p/n K318-14-1 is only $4.95, that's the good news. The bad is the thread insert kit p/n 5549-14 is about $130. Your call.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Q-Jet fuel inlet thread repair

Greg:
I had this repair done on my '69 Quadrajet several years ago by a carb. restorer and it cost around $50. If you want to try it yourself, the only thing other than the helocoil you need is an STI tap of the right thread size and a common drill bit also the correct size. The right size bit is usually marked right on the tap. STI stands for Standard Threaded Insert. They are available individually without having to buy a kit. I purchased an 8-32 STI tap just yesterday for $7. It may take some searching but they are available. The biggest problem is getting the helicoil in PERFECTLY straight. If you are off it will leak. Search the archives for other threads about this. There have been many. Hope this helps.
Jeff

[Joe L.]

Re: Q-Jet fuel inlet thread repair

Greg------

No problem. All you have to do is the following:

1) Purchase the Helicoil kit as Eric described for about $130-150. It's a special order item for most sources, so expect a long delivery time;

2) As I recall, the above kit does not come with the large size drill bit you need. It will cost you about $35-40 if you don't already have one of that size and you'll likely never use it again;

3) Have available a drill press of sufficient size for the drill bit;

4) Purchase a tapping tool of the size necessary to handle the carb body and Helicoil tap. This is necessary to ensure you get the tapping perfectly straight. As has been mentioned, this is an absolute must for this repair. Cost for such a tool----$500-1,000;

5) Purchase several low value Q-Jets to practice on before performing the repair on the high value carb;

6) If, after doing all the above, you're unsatisfied with you ability to get it right on the high value carb, relegate all of the above to your "will never use again" box of tools and send the carb out to a carb shop that does this all the time for about 50 bucks.

[Greg L.]

Re: Q-Jet fuel inlet thread repair

Well I'm glad that I asked before I bought it.

I'll check around and see just what this repair costs these days and try and deduct that from the price of the carb if the seller will let me.