Frequently Asked Questions

TIME-SERT® inserts are a thin wall solid bushing insert. This guarantees easy
installation and allows for full load use of tapped hole,
ensuring protection against stress and vibration.
TIME-SERT® inserts are “timed”
internal to external which gives a very thin wall thickness which
means TIME-SERTs can be installed in areas of limited space and clearance.
TIME-SERT® being a solid bushing insert gives it added strength, easily
withstands high temperatures without damage or deforming.
TIME-SERT® inserts have no prongs or tangs to break off or deal with down in the hole, which can be a
problem in deep holes.

TIME-SERT® inserts are self-locking having an actual locking feature which will prevent them from coming out when a bolt is removed. On installation the bottom few internal threads of the insert are cold rolled to expand into the mating external threads of the base material locking the insert in place.

TIME-SERT® inserts have a flange, which will give them a positive placement on installation for “accurate specific depths”. This ensures that the insert does not wind down into the threaded hole.

Thin wall, self locking , solid bushing insert with positive placement .

Customers have asked if they may also use Loctite® adhesives for additional strength. Yes you may due to the solid wall design. There is no danger of loctite passing thru the threads of the insert and locking up the bolt as in coil types. Time-Sert inserts are used in Aluminum, cast iron, steels and even some hard plastics. MADE IN THE USA
Tooling video 

The tool kits listed are the “Internal size”. Metric Example: If your bolt is M6x1.0 and your stripped thread is M6x1.0 you will need a M6x1.0 thread repair kit. Inch Example: If your bolt is 3/8-16 and your stripped thread is 3/8-16 you will need a 3/8-16 thread repair kit.   Tools in kit.

Check the correct size and pitch for your bolt. We have a Printable bolt chart click here.
Printable bolt charts must be printed with scaling set to NONE.

Click links for material specifications in PDF format.

12L14 Carbon Steel (click here)

303 Stainless Steel (click here)

2024 T351 Aluminum (click here)

MPa to PSI calculators

TIME-SERTs can be removed with a spiral point screw extractor, or drilled out with the drill that came in the repair kit.
Not recommended to use ez-out or screw extractor on BIG-SERT because of the locking pin at the bottom of BIG-SERT it will create a cam lock effect. Drill out BIG-SERT’s.

Link: Screw Extractors

Yes, if the threads in the base material are not damaged a new TIME-SERT can be re-inserted into that hole. This is a common practice on CNC pallet changers. When an insert starts to show wear over time, the insert can be removed with a screw extractor then replaced with a new one.

The standard TIME-SERT carbon steel inserts ” Black in color” are plated with Zinc Phosphate. Sparkplug washer seat inserts are plated with a copper flash good for heat and anti-seize properties. Sparkplug taper seat are silver plated.

1) Was the insert actually installed correctly using Time-Sert tools and square to the hole? This would have a huge effect on the outcome of the torque specification, along with what type of material being inserted. For example plastics will not have the same torque values as aluminum’s, steels, or cast irons. Another thing to keep in mind is the length of the insert. Inserts must match the length of the bolt threading into the hole. Too short of an insert length could result in thread failure.

TIME-SERT will state that if the thread repair is done correctly and with the proper length of insert used for the application e.g. the insert is the same length of the original thread engagement, the result should be a hole that should match the original torque specification of the hole.

Customers have found in their own testing data that TIME-SERT’s have exceeded their expectations. Many of our larger customers will test TIME-SERT’s before placing them in critical applications and find excellent results.

Yes Spark plug repair can be done without removing the head by placing a heavy grease on the step tap flutes to catch the chips. TIP: mechanics have mentioned that using a shop vac with a plastic tube taped to the nozzle end works well for removing any stray chips left over.

Yes we have many special lengths of inserts available not listed in our catalog. Please inquire with our order department to see if we have the length you are looking for.

Yes custom lengths can be ordered but a minimum of a 1000 insert quantity will be required. The estimated time of delivery is 4-6 weeks.

What type of spark plug do you have? Washer seat or Taper seat. Washer seat sparkplug’s  will have a washer to seal the spark plug against the head. Taper seat spark plugs will have a taper to seal against the head.

Measure from either the spark plug (Washer) or (taper) to the last thread. (Not to the end of the electrode). This will give you the correct length on insert. TIME-SERT inserts cannot be shortened for length. Please refer to our catalog or web site for length of inserts.

The diameter of the spark plug will be the size. The threads or pitch will be a standard for the diameter. Example if the diameter is M14 the standard pitch will be 1.25 or M14x1.25.
If you can provide the spark plug number or make, model, year, liter of vehicle we can give you a part number for the kit and insert required. Use form at the right.
link to: Sparkplug page

This sparkplug has a straight section between the taper seat and threads. sparkplug picture

Ford spark plug Repair kit p/n 5553 to repair blown out sparkplug’s.Ford Triton Sparkplug repair kit includes all the tools and 5 inserts.

No, you cannot repair a helicoil with a TIME-SERT because the are too close in size. We can offer a larger diameter insert called BIG-SERT Link: BIG-SERT
NOTE: We do not recommend BIG-SERT for oil pan repair because you would be locking and releasing on the insert. Please go up in size in Time-Sert size for oil pan. Example M12x1.5 all we could offer would be the Time-Sert M14x1.5 drain plug repair kit.

Normally if the hole is just stripped out and has never been repaired TIME-SERT will repair that hole. You can also check the drill size from the online TIME-SERT catalog or go to engineering data page, the drill size should be slightly larger than the stripped out hole.

Link: INCH ENGINEERING DATA PAGE

Link: METRIC ENGINEERING DATA PAGE

 If the hole is bigger refer to our Big-Sert line for oversized holes . BIG-SERT information page

We prefer you do not cut the insert to shorter.  Here is the problem if you were to cut off the bottom or top of the inserts. The top has a flange which give the insert a place to sit for positive placement. The bottom of the insert is the locking portion. We recommend to check for a suitable shorter length for your application.
Read more about shorter hole depth options here.

The Original NorthStar 4.0/4.6 TIME-SERT kit p/n J-42385-500 only has one line on the tooling because it is specifically made for the early Cadillac NorthStar 4.0/4.6 engine block only had one depth of head bolt. This engine block was developed first.

In the year 2000 the North Star block had a change where the lower bank head bolts
were dropped to a deeper depth. Kit p/n J-42385-2000

The NorthStar BIG-SERT kit will repair the 4.0/4.6 along with the NorthStar 2000 block which have a deeper depth on the lower bank of the block. Since the BIG-SERT repair came several years later we decided to consolidate the two. The BIG-SERT kit p/n J-42385-500BS is for blocks that have already been repaired! This is a second oversized repair.

Question: What if i have a NorthStar J-42385-500 kit and want to fix a NorthStar 2000?
Is it possible to do a 2000 repair with my J-42385-500 kit ?
Answer: Yes, this can be done by remarking the tools for the deeper depth on the lower bank of the 2000.
Core Drill: The Core Drill has a positive stop collar, remove the silicone in the set screw and back up the collar starting from the larger cutting diameter (not the tip of drill) back toward the square, this should measure 3.100 inches.
Tap: Mark a line from the cutting edge of tap back toward the square 4.550 inches.
Driver: Mark a line from the front of driver back toward the square 3.550 inches.
Picture of new marking of tools: J-42385-500 to J-42385-2000
Note: Additional bolt length would be required for deep holes on the lower bank of the 2000 blocks. Attachment bolts p/n J-42385-604 quantity 2 would be required to attach the fixture plate to the engine block.
The correct kit for the NorthStar 2000 is our p/n J-42385-2000.

Instructions for J-42385-2000

First check that the thread pitch is matching the external thread.

 Click for larger view

What is happening is the plating is slightly heaver on some inserts that is why it will feel tighter when screwing inserts on driver tool by hand.
This is common on all inserts, if some of your inserts only screw on a few threads of the driver tool don’t worry the driver tool will screw through the insert fine when installing. Of course always use oil on the install driver tool when installing inserts, this can be a 30wt motor oil.

No! Because the oversized drain plug has oversized the hole in the drain pan making it larger, so the insert will not hold properly. The 1485 kit will work by reducing the hole from M14x1.5 to M12x1.5 there is no drilling because the tin pans are to thin and the thread would break out entirely. So no oversized drain plugs in tin pan repair.

Aluminum pan repair:
If the drain pan is aluminum use kit 1415C,  the drain plug O.D (outside diameter) should not be larger than the drill included in the kit which is .578 inches or 14.6mm. Aluminum pans normally have enough material to drill out and insert back to the standard M14x1.5.

One possible solution. The hole being repaired has a depth shorter than the length of our shortest insert. There are a few cases where we do not have a short enough insert for a particular application. For example: trying to repair a hole 5/16-18 our shortest length insert is .350 inches and the hole depth is .250 inches deep. You can install a TIME-SERT without using a counterbore. Leaving the shoulder sticking up to remove later on by milling or filing.
One possible suggestion on this type of installation.

1) Drill hole (2) Tap hole (3) let insert set up with locktite (4) install insert (5) file insert flush.

Drill the hole out, “DO NOT” use counterbore tool, tap the hole.
On installation: Screw the insert in the hole with loctite to the desired location. Let the insert set up with the loctite before running the insert driver tool through the insert. The loctite will prevent the insert from going to deep into the prepared hole.
Use the driver tool to expand the last few threads of the inserts.

The insert will now be protruding or sticking up higher in the hole, you will have to “file down” or mill the top of the insert to get the insert flush with the surface. It’s recommended to run the insert driver back through the insert to clean any burs at the top of the insert.
Time-Sert would recommend trying to find an insert the correct length first.
METRIC INSERTS
INCH    INSERTS

Application Spark plug taper seat:
Our Sealer p/n 6020 is required on taper seat spark plug inserts. Only the taper seat style spark plug inserts require Sealer not washer seat. We are sealing on the built in taper of the insert so we have a perfect seal from the spark plug to the insert but we need to insure that the external threads of the insert are sealed by the Sealer to keep any gases from passing by the external threads of insert as a precaution.

Application Head Bolt:
We recommend  Sealer p/n 6020 on the external threads of the insert in head bolt applications and commonly include p/n 6020 in many head bolt kit applications.

Time-Sert Sealer p/n 6020 
Sealer is recommended because of it’s higher temperature. Normal red loctite e.g. part numbers 277 or 271, burn away at 200 degrees which is the normal operating temperature of most engines.
Time-Sert Sealer p/n 6020 has been tested to 500 degrees without any problems and will give added strength as it will not burn away when engine temperatures above 200 degrees are reached.

You should be able to order through your local Fastenal dealer.
Tool Smith
205 323-2576 http://www.toolsmith.ws/ or Turner supply 251 431-0262If multiple inserts need to be installed this can also be done using a CNC with a tapmatic reversing head.
Link to: Tapmatic self reversing tapping heads.

We do receive many questions regarding Helicoil / Save-A–Thread spark plug insert failure.
Please read link below.

Click Here for information on helicoil / Save-A-Thread spark plug failure:

The tool kits listed are the “Internal size”. If you are repairing a M12 bolt or stripped thread you will need a M12 kit.

The problem is you may not have “REAMED” the hole fully. The reamer has a black stop collar and this collar must touch the head to ream the 45 degree counterbore which is pictured in step D.
http://www.timesert.com/images/sparkplug/triton_repair/image011.jpg

The problem that can happen is the reamer did not ream all the way thru the hole so it leaves a step in the hole that will STOP the tap because the 45 degree counterbore was not fully done. This can happen because of 2 possible things. The reamer is hitting a VALVE or the top of the PISTON which is stopping it from entering all the way.

Please check again that the valves are closed and the piston is all the way down, then your tap should easily tap all the way thru.

Follow the 2 man step on getting the valves closed and piston all the way down on the instructions.
Turn the engine over clockwise from the front use an 18mm socket.
Put your thumb in the hole like your giving someone the “thumb’s down” the top of your knuckle should almost block the hole and you should feel compression as you come up on the compression stroke.
When you get to top dead center you won’t feel anymore pressure use a wire hanger put down the hole.
As someone slowly turns the engine again clockwise as it is going down on the power stroke the second it tries to come back up STOP. The valves will be closed and the piston all the way down.

We recommend using Time-Sert driver oil P/n J-42385-110 to install inserts. You may optionally use a 30wt motor oil.
Link to MSDS Driver oil p/n J-42385-110

You may also use a sealer on the external threads for added strength we offer sealer P/n 6020
Link to MSDS Sealer P/n 6020

NOTE: Try to not bend over the tool or bottom the driver out in the hole. We suggest using a tap handle wrench when installing.

Use Time-Sert driver oil p/n 6010 or 30 wt motor oil on the external threads of the driver when installing inserts.

Click Link for pictures.