Archived Missing AFC Screw!

[Got Smoke?]

Ok a couple of weeks ago I got a wild hair and decided to mess with my AFC housing. Well while trying to slide it forward with the bracket for the shut off solenoid still in place I think I managed to strip the threads in the lower right hand screw (if facing pump from drivers side fender). Well I also managed to drop one of what I thought was a washer/shim, now I'm thinking it was a lockwasher cause when I popped the hood tonight I was missing the lower left hand screw(!) and the lower right hand one was loose!!:{



Now I know that there were two pieces that come off with each screw. Is one a washer and the other a lockwasher? I've heard them referred to as shims before, this isn't a specific shim is it? How bad have a messed up here? I plan on going to the hardware store in the morning and seeing if I can get another screw to go in, and I'm planning on putting a lock washer on it too. I'm hoping I can just run a thread chaser through the lower right hand threads and it'll all be ok, but I'm scared it won't.



Suggestions, Comments, Support:{ :{ :{

 

[bighammer]

I don't think it's that big a deal. The washers aren't anything special and the other 3 screws will hold the the AFC from going anywhere. Your only problem might be a little oil seepage from that corner.



Just my opinion of course, and I could be wrong.

 

[Reddog1]

bighammer is right, no big deal, other than possible oil seepage.



The tendency is to overtighten the screws.



I replaced my screws with Allen head and I used SAE flat washers. The washers are not an absolute must, but do allow for more contact area between screw and AFC Housing. The AFC Housing has a slotted hole, and the locking portion of the lock washer will probably just go into the slot.



I don't remember the Allen size (two are about 1/8" longer). I also replaced the AFC Diaphragm screws, and AFC zero point screw cover screws.





Wayne

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Top 2 are M6 x 1. 0 x 16 (18 works also). Lock washer and small OD flat washer.

Bottom 2 are M6 x 1. 0 x 25. Lock washer and larger diameter flat washer.

Heli-coils are available if you stripped the threads.

 

[Ben Rumson]

I did the same thing

stripped one from the outer 4 AFC housing bolts and one from the actual plate hold down screws. The alumimum was hot and soft and stripped out very easily. I tapped a slightly larger hole, but wasn't happy with the result - better yet, I did dare hardly breath on the new threads and didn't dare tighten it down.



I used the He He Who method of breathing to keep from fainting. Once the labor pains subsidded, I took it to a mechanic shop and had them put in a few helicoils to repair the thread. I did NOT want to risk fouling up the housing myself. Better to pay a shop with better knowledge and insurance incase it really fouled up.



Fix went straight forward.



There's isn't alot of pressure on the bolts. Dab a bit of gasket sealer on a dry surface and it will help with the slight oil drip.



You should be alright.

 

[Got Smoke?]

took it all apart the other night. ran a thread chaser through both bottom screw holes and moved the factory screw in the one I thought I stripped over the the one that was missing until I could get a correct screw.



Popped the hood this morning to see the bottom factory screw MISSING!!! :{



So I installed a screw I bought the other day which I thought was incorrect length but actually worked with just a lock washer! if this thing comes out something is definately wrong!!



So now I'm praying this one doesn't come out. It tightens down just fine, but it seems like everytime I pop the the hood one is missing!:{