68RFE Oil Pan Help

[GCecchetto]

So, did my first trans service yesterday. Seems FCA treated me to a stripped oil pan bolt right from the factory. It's one of the two inner bolts at the front of the pan that are blind holes. Ran a tap into the threads and tapped the hole as deep as I could, certainly not going to try to drill it any deeper, and installed a longer bolt but no love. Thinking about drilling and tapping for an M8 but concerned about the flange width on the trans. Really don't want to drop the pan again, so wondering if anyone has a photo of a 68RFE with the pan off so I can see how much clearance there is for a larger hole. Memory tells me there is enough material, but rater be safe than sorry. Breaking out the inside of the case while tapping the hole would suck. Have also been thinking about installing a Mag-Hytec, although I really don't want an aluminum pan under my truck since I overland with it and end up in some pretty extreme off road situations. Anyway, curious if anyone can tell me if the gasket the Mag-Hytec uses could be drilled out for an M8 in one of the front inner hole locations without compressing the gaskets ability to seal? Picture of the Mag-Hytec gasket would be great too. I also welcome any other thoughts on fixing the issue. Thought about putting JB Weld in the hole and lubing up the screw to reform the threads, but that seems less than ideal. Also thought about a helicoil, but might as well put in the M8 if I'm drilling the hole out. Thanks

 

[gsbrockman]

I had a few pics of the pan and transmission saved from my 2007.5 RAM 3500 MegaCab.

Maybe these will help...

 

[GCecchetto]

Yes, thanks. Looks like I can safely drill and tap for an M8.

 

[EDankievitch]

Use a Heli Coil. The kit comes with a special tap and a thread insert. It will allow you to use the factory size bolt. Put a drop of locktite on the outside of the insert before you install it.

 

[GCecchetto]

Have to pull the pan to do a heli coil though. If I do that I might as well put a Mag-Hitec pan on.

 

[sag2]

Actually I think you can install the Helicoil without removing the pan. The drill size for my M6 set is 1/4. So if it were mine and I didn't want to drop the pan again I would carefully drill the pan flange only with 19/64 drill as the OD of the insert measures .298 inches. Then drill the insert hole at the specified 1/4, tap, and insert the new threads. Use red Loctite on the insert. Shop around for the Helicoil if you’re not in any big hurry, I saved about 1/2 getting it on Amazon. Not sure if you have an Orchard Supply over on that side of the bay but if you do I found the Helicoil there after I got mine and they were priced pretty good.

 

[GCecchetto]

Actually I think you can install the Helicoil without removing the pan. The drill size for my M6 set is 1/4. So if it were mine and I didn't want to drop the pan again I would carefully drill the pan flange only with 19/64 drill as the OD of the insert measures .298 inches. Then drill the insert hole at the specified 1/4, tap, and insert the new threads. Use red Loctite on the insert. Shop around for the Helicoil if you’re not in any big hurry, I saved about 1/2 getting it on Amazon. Not sure if you have an Orchard Supply over on that side of the bay but if you do I found the Helicoil there after I got mine and they were priced pretty good.

Thanks Sag. I do have an OSH close. I figured the hole for the heli coil would be larger than that. Guess I'll put a heli coil in.

 

[GCecchetto]

Soooo, for you folks that have installed a Mag-Hytec pan, any issues clearing the cooler lines some engineer at FCA decided should wrap under the pan where they could be in the way for no reason?

 

[Bob4x4]

Call mag hytec they can answer all your questions on their product.Their pans are strong enough to say they add rigidity to the case.