i dropped my transmission pan today and replaced the filter and tightened my rear band. i put the pan back on and overtightened one of the bolts and stripped out the hole. my buddy looked at it and said he thinks its a hela coil. is that true, and what the hell is it. Is it easy to repair?
also when i was down there i noticed that im missing a nut off of where the tranny meets the transfer case... where can i get another?

 

A heli-coil is a thread insert. When you install one you drill the hole out and use a tool included in the heli-coil to install the insert. IMO not the strongest fix. Probably not that big of deal unless the tranny leaks. Personally I hate dealing with holes that have been heli-coiled, I am always worried that what happened to you will happen to me. I would see about getting a new heli-coil to install though. Any autoparts store should have one.

http://www.helicoil.com/products/helicoil.asp

Heres a little more info on Heli-Coils.

As far as the nut on your transfer case I would see if you can figure out what size it should be and try a hardware store. I am not very familiar with 4x4s though so maybe someone who is will chime in here.

 

just my 2 cents,but if a helicoil is installed right it is stronger than the original thread especially in aluminum.

 

I'll say heli coil is strong. I bought a Super Bee in 83 Flogged the crap out of it. In 88 when I rebuilt the motor 2 connecting rods had heli coils in them. I would'nt worry about using them.

 

Okay Dummy (that's me) it was the main caps not con rods.