threaded inserts

[tv175lambretta]

Can you recommend a threaded insert kit for engine casing, horn casting etc. ? Are they available in a range of sizes to suit lambretta (m3 ,m4,m5,m6,m8?) Do I really have to spend £150 plus ? is there a cheaper but good way of doing it. Ive seen some brass inserts are they any good? Any advice and particularly weblinks of where to buy?
Thanks

[HxPaul]

Can you recommend a threaded insert kit for engine casing, horn casting etc. ? Are they available in a range of sizes to suit lambretta (m3 ,m4,m5,m6,m8?) Do I really have to spend £150 plus ? is there a cheaper but good way of doing it. Ive seen some brass inserts are they any good? Any advice and particularly weblinks of where to buy?
Thanks

Helicoils

[xenia1]

Most engineering shops will helicoil single threads for you saving the cost of buying a complete kit..

[tv175lambretta]

Thanks. I'd thought helicoils were more of a temporary fix than a permanent repair. Have I got that wrong?

[HxPaul]

I have 2 helicoils in my chaincase,1 of which is in the usual exhaust mounting stud hole.They have been there for 2 years now and still work ok.

[Estonrifle81]

Time Serts for professional job.
Costly, but worth it. Or should that be wurth it

[drivera]

I have helicoiled quite a few threads in my cranckcase and they are spot on , try www.unithread.com , they do reasonably priced kits which include the inserts and the tap

[gaz_powell]

i think helicoils like everything have to be used as they are intended and dont expect any more of them.

They can provide a good (home workshop) fix in certain situations but must be installed correctly - a lot of helicoils are the wrong size and/or badly fitted causing failure - thats what gives them a bad reputation.

I think you have to look at the application, the base medium, the depth etc and make the decision which may mean using something more suitable (timesert, welding etc)

I wouldnt be without M6 and M8 kits in the garage - just in case

[sunrisemac]

helicoils fitted properly give a better thread purchase than screwing directly into ally as you are in effect fitting a larger thread with more surface area to grip the ally (we fit helicoils as standard to ally and magnesium jaguar diff housings for mounting brake calipers).