For $200 I'd be buying a kit, getting some similar thickness aluminum and practicing, then doing it. Do the research, get the stuff and do the job.

 

It's not that hard, maybe watch a video or two. The biggest pointers are keep it undercontrol, square, use oil, tighten it a little ways, back track a ways, then go a little farther, .... repeat.

 

Thanks for all your advice and support with tapping the drain hole. I want to consider all options before pulling the trigger.

I found the left side of the crankcase on ebay for about $99. How difficult would it be to swap those out? Would I have to take out the motor? Ive only gone as deep as changing the shift star.

Thanks

 

 

do not change part of the case... they are machined as a unit. whole case or nothing. too much work. a Helicoil is a good, one time fix. on the other hand, it is a bit tricky on oil sumps because the casting is thin... not many threads in that one..... thats part of why it boogered now. also, the coils are too long hand have to be cut. not hard but requires a plan. so.... what to do? couple options, like drill & tap for a new larger size, but the easiest is go to the auto parts place and get an oversize plug. they make plugs that are slightly bigger that taps on the way in, making new threads. a better version comes with a tap. there are some that have a screw in steel boss that stays put, providing new threads for the drain plug to screw into. do a search & all kinds will pop up

 

I'd try getting a new aluminum drain plug, and try using same size tap and see if you can just clean up existing threads. I don't know, may be worth a shot.

 

Ok. Tapping the drain hole tomorrow 1 size up. After doing some research Ive found the OEM drain plug to be an M10 x 1.5'' in size. Ill be tapping to an M12 x 1.5''.

Here's my question;

What size drill bit will I need to do this job? 11mm? 10.5?

Any help + guidance is appreciated. Thanks!

 

courtesy of Bolt depot - first one at the top of my google search for drill size for m12-1.5 thread. Bold courtesy of me...