Coarse or fine ? JEGs offer two sets

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...51008_-1_10783

Summit offers one
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

Depends on what you're using it for.
Coarse will probably be used significantly more. I can't think offhand of any uses for the fine threads, but I can think of a schwack of imperial coarse threads you'll be needing it for.

Only your engine will use imperial, the rest of the car needs metric(basically). I'm assuming you only need this for the engine then?

 

About the only places you'll find UNF threads are in the crank snout, rod bearing cap bolts, rocker studs, and on some oil pump mounting studs.

About all you'd really need are a 3/8-16 and a 7/16-14 roll-form tap. They'll work well, stay cleaner, and do less thread damage than a typical chaser. You can probably find them at a local supplier for less than ten bucks. It wouldn't hurt to have a 1/8-27 and 1/4 pipe tap to clean threads and/or to convert oil gallery welch plugs to pipe plugs.

 

thanks

so something like this would work ??
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...tnumber=410594

or
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...tnumber=410593

 

Unfortunately, neither of those lists the sizes of the taps included. It would be impossible to determine if they are suitable without that information. Many generic tap sets do not include a 7/16-14 tap, which is one of the crucial threads to chase or clean when preparing a small block (for all the head and main bearing cap bolts).

As mentioned before, a 3/8-16 and 7/16-14 are the two important thread sizes to have. You can find them individually at many hardware stores, well-stocked auto parts houses, and possibly even at some home centers.

Here are some possibilities:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...Id=19600227211

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...Id=19600206481

 

Reply to vorgath (before I noticed vaders post)

the 2nd one there would work alright. The thread gauge is handy to have.

in ref to partsamerica link: Those aren't roll form sets though, if you were thinking of going by Vaders suggestion.
FWIW, on your car, you'll never use many of those sizes. I can't think of many times i've used a die actually (successfully). 1/4 tap, 5/16" tap and larger than 7/16" is virtually non-existant on the cars. 3/8" and 7/16" coarse is 95% of your engine bay. Might as well get a GOOD quality one of each and you'll be set.
Check mcmaster-carr.com if you're going to mail order it. I'm sure they have them, and their service is top notch.

See mcmastercarr's item # 2534A18


But wouldn't a thread chaser be better to remove dirt and crud, compared to a roll form? Usually you just want to clean the threads, I figured a roll form would imbed the particles and just wear out the tap really fast...?

 

Oh ok, thanks

I know we got some Ace hardware stores here, just need to find them. I guess I'll see if HomeDepot has the same exact thing, them or maybe Dixieline Lumber

 

Dang it, hmmmmmm it's either HomeDepot or Dixieline will have it (Ace's too far away for me) or I'll have to order the one from Summit. hmmmmmm

 

Figures ...

Dixieline actually had those Hanson tap die's, however of course not the right size, seems the 7/16-14 is one of the few they don't carry .. ever.

 

In san diego??! You should be able to find someone who carries taps locally... Every autoparts store has them.

Or mail order if it's no big deal to you.

 

If there is dirt and debris left after cleaning, yes, a cut-thead tap would be better to clean that out. Once the holes are cleaned and blown dry, a roll-form tap will tend to form up the threads better than simply cutting additional metal away. A .45 caliber pistol bore brush works well for head and main cap holes, then a roll tap finishes the job without wearing the threads. A .38 or 9mm brush works well for many of the other block and head tapped holes. Any good sporting goods store should have those, or even places like WalMart or hardware stores.

 

I'm dead serious ... the auto parts stores near me are a damn joke, especially Kragen, even Napa here's a joke. It's also about how damn far do I want to travel by bus or trolley to find a decent hardware store ?

All I managed to get from Kragen was a spark plug thread chaser. And like I said, Dixieline didn't carry 7/16-14 and Home Depot well didn't carry anything even near that size.

People have had problems in San Diego before, heck let's face it, I live in the emission state *L* so everything's warped here.
Either way my current problem is getting the heads of my backup engine in the garage, removed all bolts and I apply so much force to remove the heads the entire engine is moving around, but heads remain stuck *L*