Ironhead Cam Cover Question

[arkyboy]

I'm going to tear my 1970 XLH down this winter for paint and rechroming. My cam cover has had one of the distributor hold down bolt holes drilled out waaaaaay oversize by a PO. I have a spare cover in good shape, the cam bushings are used but look almost like new. My question is, could I use the spare cover without having to line ream the bushings or would it be better to have the oversize hole in my original cover welded up and redrilled to the correct size? Both covers are in about the same condition otherwise and will need to be rechromed, so the issue is only with the distributor hold down bolt hole. Thanks.
arkyboy

[meanmechanic]

As there are bushings in the spare and they aren't worn I'd use it. I would check it for clearances first though.

[piniongear]

Originally Posted by arkyboy

I'm going to tear my 1970 XLH down this winter for paint and rechroming. My cam cover has had one of the distributor hold down bolt holes drilled out waaaaaay oversize by a PO. I have a spare cover in good shape, the cam bushings are used but look almost like new. My question is, could I use the spare cover without having to line ream the bushings or would it be better to have the oversize hole in my original cover welded up and redrilled to the correct size? Both covers are in about the same condition otherwise and will need to be rechromed, so the issue is only with the distributor hold down bolt hole. Thanks.
arkyboy

If it were me my first choice would be to weld up and re-tap the hole.
A Tig weld will quickly fill it and drilling out and tapping is a simple matter.
Using another timing cover just because you have a 10-24 hole stripped does not make sense to me. You have 6 holes in that cover that need to line up with the crankcase holes and the chances that is going to happen is almost zero.
Just my 2¢ though.
pg

[SCRACAR29]

Correct thread is 12-24. May think about Helicoil after weld-up.

[Ivan RoachCoach]

...own experience, with friends who've bought spare cam covers to cut down instead of using their stockers, is that 9 times out of 10 the damm things won't fit right and will leak.

So, get that hole welded up and re-tapped or heli-coil it.
Life's too short to overcomplicate it.

[Rogerwilko]

If helicoilng wont work you could have a steel threaded insert made.

[Jafa39]

Originally Posted by Ivan RoachCoach

....

So, get that hole welded up and re-tapped or heli-coil it.
Life's too short to overcomplicate it.

+1 on that

[arkyboy]

I don't think I can use a helicoil, the hole has been enlarged to about 3/8" and it opened up into the hole for the distributor. Don't know what the OP's reasoning for enlargening the hole that much was, but it looks like a weld up & redrill is in order before I send it out to the plater. Thanks guys.
arkyboy

[the cowboy way]

dont plate

[meanmechanic]

I looked through the thread again and if you're going to chrome-plate the cover, you'll have to rebush the cover anyway. take the spare, get it replated, rebushed, and save the money on welding, drilling and retapping.