Blog

We recently received a great question from Michael, a DIYer facing a common problem of stripped threads for head bolts: repairing He's got two stripped holes for cylinder head bolts on a Pentastar 3.6L engine. His ask? “Would I be able to rent a Time-Sert 8313 repair kit or pay a usage fee? It’s a lot for me to afford for a one-time use (at least I pray I never have to do it again). Any help would be so greatly appreciated, thank you.” Michael’s situation is one many gear …

When a Save-A-Thread insert fails, it can leave the spark plug hole in your engine significantly larger than its original size. This scenario often requires more robust repair solutions, such as the 389XL Triple Oversize Thread Repair Kit. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to tackle this issue effectively.Understanding the Problem Spark plug threads can become damaged or stripped due to various reasons, including cross-threading, over-tightening, or the failure of previous repair attempts …

Years ago, I wrote about a customer who only wanted the tap from a TIME-SERT 2200 kit. More recently, another customer asked, “Can I buy just the thread tap from the TIME-SERT 3700 kit?” These types of inquiries are common. The TIME-SERT 3700 kit, an M11x2.0 Universal Head Bolt Thread Kit, is popular for many LS engines. When I asked if the customer had the full kit, he assured me he did, but his answers suggested otherwise. He claimed the kit was old and the numbers on the tap were worn off. Th …

This article is also available in video format at the bottom of the page.Car manufacturers started using R134A refrigerant in 1995. Vehicles manufactured before this year typically used R12 refrigerant. However, many of these older systems were converted to R134A because R12 production was halted. R12 systems have threaded service ports. R134A systems can be identified by their quick-connect service port connectors, which differ in size for the low and high sides to prevent incorrect connections …

Modern car engines are made with a combination of materials, including aluminum and plastic, for various reasons, primarily related to performance, efficiency, and weight reduction. Here are some of the key reasons for using these materials: Aluminum: Lightweight: Aluminum is much lighter than iron, which was commonly used in older engines, although there are some cast iron blocks around still. One example being some Chevy LS engines. Lighter engines improve fuel efficiency and reduce the over …