LQ9 Oil Pump Thread Stripped?!

[Chevelle LT1]

At the risk of being a predictable emergency room poster, I could definitely use some help: I went to install my new LS6-type oil pump in my LQ9, and the bolt that connects the pickup screen to the pump itself is stripped (no idea how/when/why that happened). Unfortunately, there is only 1 bolt that attaches to the pickup screen, so this is definitely no good.



At this point, I can see that my options include:
1) Wait until Monday to call Texas-Speed and see if we can figure out something - least preferable
2) Install my original oil pump. Not ideal, and certainly seems counterproductive (not to mention a waste of $)
3) Change out the pump housing from my original pump to replace the new one that is stripped - Can anyone tell me if this would be a problem?? I don't know if Texas Speed may have modified the housing.
4) Add a heli-coil to the stripped threads and see if that would hold. Can anyone tell me if this would be a problem?

Thanks.

~ Jason

[69fbodyproject]

I would go Heli-coil. I doubt it would be an issue. On some builds I have seen were all the head studs have been Heli-coiled and have held up well. Those were done when going to a larger diameter head stud though.

[Chevelle LT1]

Thanks for the reply. After getting over the initial frustration of this situation, I also came across this thread.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...=stripped+bolt

Looks like we'll be giving the heli-coil a shot...

Mods - Please feel free to move/delete this thread. Thanks!

[69fbodyproject]

Good luck, just double check everything before you start and take your time.

[Chevelle LT1]

Just a quick update in case anyone runs into this problem in the future: Heli-coils are fantastic, and everything is good to go.