Bolt Size Metalcloak Oil Pan Skid Install

[Rick2004LJ]

Trying to install a Metalcloak Oil Pan Skid Plate https://metalcloak.com/oil-pan-skid-plate-for-4-0l-jeep-tj-lj.html
The front attaches to the engine block but the included hardware (3/8" x16) doesn't seem to fit the threaded holes - it starts but only goes a couple treads in. I have tried every size and thread pitch anywhere close but none work? Anyone know what size fits here? Any chance it is a tapered hole - I have not put a wrench on it for fear of stripping it? I am to the point of trying to tap it.....

 

[Rick2004LJ]

Bump - Come on, somebody has bound to run across this issue in the past??

 

[Bobsled84790]

Did you try reaching out to Metalcloak for help ?

 

[Rick2004LJ]

Yes - They say it is what they sent. 3/8” x 16

 

[rasband]

My OBA came with both 3/8" and m10 bolts and said to use whichever fit the engine bosses better. m10 being slightly bigger I believe.

But I'd return that skid as all the impact will go into the engine bosses. A better design would use the frame as the support and connect to the TC skid, instead of the bell housing which is aluminum. I'd much rather replace the skids than my engine with broken bosses or trans with broken threads.

 

[Bobsled84790]

Try cleaning up the threads with a tap , that shouldn’t hurt anything

 

[TheRock]

Yes - They say it is what they sent. 3/8” x 16

Did you ever get this figured out?

 

[Rick2004LJ]

Yes sorry forgot to report back. Ran a tap through it and fit like a glove but there was 18 years of gunk and some rust in there. I did take my time because the tap was super tight - I blew it out good and used plenty of cutting oil. Go a few turns, blow it out, add oil, rinse & repeat.

 

[05_LJ]

Bump - Come on, somebody has bound to run across this issue in the past??

Did you happen to have a fix for this? I just ran into the same issue.

 

[Rick2004LJ]

Yes, it was the stock bolt size. I just needed to run a tap in it to clean it out. Once I did that they worked like a champ.

 

[TheRock]

Yes, it was the stock bolt size. I just needed to run a tap in it to clean it out. Once I did that they worked like a champ.

I know the question wasn’t necessarily directed to me but I had the same experience as @Rick2004LJ. I had to run a tap and blow gunk out. Then the bolts threaded in no problem.

 

[05_LJ]

Yes, it was the stock bolt size. I just needed to run a tap in it to clean it out. Once I did that they worked like a champ.

Never done that before. Would I use a thread chaser that’s 3/8” ?

 

[TheRock]

Yes, but the thread count has to be right as well.

Something like this:

 

[05_LJ]

Yes, but the thread count has to be right as well.

Something like this:
View attachment 463435

Thank you!

 

[mudmaster]

I also had to run a tap to clean up the threads.

 

[TheRock]

It sounds like this is pretty normal and it’s not at all surprising. Still, probably wouldn’t hurt if MetalCloak added a pro-tip recommending to chase the threads prior to attempting install.