FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / helicoil install help

**Posted by ponch0v** 10/12/2024 10:59 AM

I have to install some 1/4-24 helicoils and having a rough time. Ive tried and trashed 4 inserts so far and need advice.Some of the 1/4-24 kits come with a "coil starter" for fine threaded inserts, some kits don't.
Ive installed my share of inserts in the past even down to a 4-40 thread and never had issues.

Any tips or tricks on how to install a fine threaded insert?

Thanks

Last edited by ponch0v (10/12/2024 11:00 AM)

**Posted by Rudi** 10/12/2024 11:20 AM

National fine thread for 1/4” is 28 tpi, where are you using 1/4-24 , it’s not a standard size.
Next size down from 1/4” is 12/24.

Hi Rudi Ooops...Yes they are 1/4-28.

Hi Rudi
Ooops...Yes they are 1/4-28.

**Posted by Rudi** 10/12/2024 11:55 AM

Hey Henry, what material are you working with, maybe try a little lube.
I wonder if the NF and NC inserting tools are the same?

**Posted by ponch0v** 10/12/2024 1:02 PM

material is AL. Ive tried light oil, no help
Ive read that the fine threaded inserts need the "coil starter" for installation. This is why Im posting to the group.

**Posted by ponch0v** 10/12/2024 1:08 PM

seems the proper term for the tool is "helicoil prewinder"

**Posted by Rudi** 10/12/2024 3:03 PM

All I have ever used is the Helicoil installation tool, the one supplied with the coil kit, you know the one with the slot in the end that snaps the tang off after the coil is in place. I have never done one with fine thread
Sorry Henry , that’s all I got!

**Posted by Bentworker** 10/12/2024 3:09 PM

They can be fussy. It is easy to push to hard and skip a thread starting them. Get good lighting, put your good glasses on, get them good and square, push lightly and turn. For lack of a better description I have had to push sideways on the install tool towards the leading edge of the insert as it starts.

Maybe run the tap again just in case you malformed anything with the last 4 inserts.

Last edited by Bentworker (10/12/2024 3:11 PM)

**Posted by Rudi** 10/12/2024 3:12 PM

Just wondering if the coils are genuine Helicoil or knock offs.
I’ve never broken any but have found they twist before breaking.

Last edited by Rudi (10/12/2024 3:15 PM)

**Posted by MS** 10/12/2024 6:30 PM

Take a screw/bolt in the final size. File the end so you remove 1/2 the bolt with a straight line across the end of the bolt. That make a prewinder to screw the insert in I like to use red loctite on the insert, then clean thoroughly with brake cleaner spray once installed. Don’t put the final fastener in until the loctite is cleaned out or dried.

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 10/13/2024 6:16 AM

You definitely have to use the tool, or make one. I would also advise using red Locktite on the insert. I would also make sure you have the right tap, and that the hole is tapped deep enough. The taps that come with the kits are not bottoming taps, so if the hole is shallow you may need to switch to a bottoming tap in the correct size. When I buy a particular size the first time I buy the kit with the tap, tool and inserts. After that you can just buy the inserts.