STD heads

At the request of my local chopper shop I just heli-coiled a stripped STD Panhead head bolt hole, I was greatly dismayed to discover that they don't have steel liners (cast in) like the original ones that HD made. Maybe if the builder didn't over torque the bolts they might work but aluminum threads in a cylinder head isn't a good idea.

If anymore threads pull out I'm tempted to make 9/16-12 by 7/16-20 thread liners to fix it right.

Just my opinion.

-Texas Wildman

Must have been a tough decision for them:

"Should we use the star inserts?"
"Only if the extra cost comes out of your share!"
"OK, but won't the fine thread bolts just tear out of the soft aluminum?"
"Of course"
"Shouldn't we change the thread to 7/16-14NC and include a set of bolts?"
"You're not listening - it costs money!"
"OK, but shouldn't we at least warn them?"
"Like, tell them we make an inferior product, and they can expect to repair it immediately? Are you crazy?"

... and so it was done.

And so they are no longer in business either. They shut down a few weeks back, from what i've been told.