Stripped balancer bolt

[FMG CAMARO]

When I built my engine I stripped out the balancer bolt threads. I fixed it with a heli coil and havent had any problems for 10 years. I just pulled my balancer. The heli-coil was damaged during removal of the balancer. How do I refix this? Am I screwed? Another heli coil, tap new threads, timesert? I feel like I have one shot at this and would like some opinions from more experienced people then myself. Thanks.

[TheJDMan]

I have never had to remove a heli-coil but if you can get ahold of the end you may be able to screw it out.

[FMG CAMARO]

The part the pushes against the crank pushed the first 2 threads of the heli coil in. When I fixed it the first time I used a slightly larger bolt then stock. I was able to pull out the rest of the heli coil with a needle nose plier. The threads look to be ok. I am gonna try and put a new heli coil in. If it does hold I will use a larger bolt and try again.

[TheJDMan]

When you use the puller you always need to use the push plug between the screw and the end of the crank rather than letting the screw get forced into the bolt hole.

[FMG CAMARO]

Lesson learned. Unfortunately the hard way. Do you think I should just go with a 1/2 inch 20 thread heli coil and get the big block balancer bolt which has the same threads? I am concerned about the heli coil holding up when I am re installing the balancer.

[Injected65]

I always thread the crank bolt back into the crank and let the puller push against the head of the bolt to help avoid damage. As long as you were able to uncoil the helicoil out of the threads you should be able to thread a new insert into it just like you did the first time and be back in business.