Something had to go right sooner or later
The tractor, on further inspection, hadn’t thrown a rod but in fact the metal retainer that holds the bolts in place had snapped, allowing the bolts to back out. Nothing was irrepairably harmed, but it’s been a giant pain in the ass. I went to the only place that might have it, the local Ace Hardware, and the guy at the desk said “no. Why not use loctite?”
Sigh.
I’m amazed at the ignorance of people, sometimes, I really am.
I just said “I don’t have time to teach you physics” and left.
Look, you fucktard: Steel and aluminum expand and contract when heated. They do so at a different rate. When you use Loctite to try to bond aluminum and steel, it fails, especially when the unit has a dramatic thermal cycle, especially when it is used in oil. That’s why they use nuts and bolts on a lot of small engines, and that’s why this engine had a steel keeper that crimps in place once the bolts are torqued.
This is why I hate “modern” hardware stores. And this is one of the better ones in my area, futhuchrissakes.
You were probably lucky if he knew what you were talking about in the first place.
Any chance of repairing the retainer?
Depending on its thickness, welding might work, or a bridging strap JBWelded into place. If its only job is keeping a bolt from backing out, that MIGHT work.
I ended up cuting myself a new one out of 18 gauge. Worked fine.
I kind of figured that’s what you did.
I’m rather surprised he knew what the fuck Loctite was…
Well I guess that works too :)
I’d say try fire, but we all know fire does not melt steel.
Zelda, you are my kind of smartass.
I’ll be damned. Loctite works with fire? I didn’t know that!
Aaaanyway, as with most retail locations nowadays, the people manning them are only there to sell. They don’t ‘know’ the business they’re in.