308 stripped radiator bleeder

I was bleeding air from the radiator and stripped the bleed screw. Now it drips coolant. I stripped it years ago (no Wheaties jokes please), and my mechanic was able to re-thread it. There is not enough material left to rethread it this time.

Does anyone know of a fix, short of another radiator? My mechanic says he can remove the bleeder screw housing and solder a new bleeder screw housing in the same spot, which should look pretty close to original - provided he can find a something to mimic the bleeder housing.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Chris

 

Have someone with a lathe make you a new bleeder screw housing in 10 minutes out of a piece of brass, which your mechanic can solder in.
How did you strip the thread twice ? It is just a knurled thumb screw. No tools please
You say, there's no material left for re-threading. In such cases the correct way would be using a threaded bushing - maybe glueing in - when it occured for the first time.

Best Regards from Germany

Martin

 

Check out this recent thread. Does not really address the front bleeder but Peter's solution might work. I got the brass fittings and bleed screws from Summit Racing. You could solder the brass part to the radiator and then use the brake bleeder screw to bleed. Probably there are easier ways - just my $.02

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332307&page=2

 

I stripped mine, but then just added a copper washer with some form-a-gasket sealant around the washer, tank-side. This moved the bleeder screw 'out' some, and now seals quite well.

 

Check with Verell on this board, I think he fabricates these. This is from his parts catalog from about 2 years back:

#95800014
Radiator Bleed ThumbScrew
308, 328 others
$25.00

 

Are you sure the threads in the radiator are stripped? That is a piece of threaded steel tube. The brass threads on the thumbscrew should strip long before the threads in the radiator strip unless something other than a brass thumbscrew was being used.

Yes, I still make the brass thumbscrews. Could also make a brass solder fitting if you decide you really need one.

To contact me just click on my name & select [Send eMAIL to Verell]

 

Verell,

Yes, my mechanic says they are stripped. I trust him. I have a long history with him and know he is an excellent mechanic. His radiator guy is making a new brass solder fitting. We are taking out the radiator and cleaning it and I am replacing hoses while I have it out. I hope to have the car back this week.

I appreciate your note. I'll let you know how it turns out..