LT1000 Sears Craftsman 42” tractor gas tank bolts stripped and loose as a goose!

[Don2222]

Hello
So now what? Re-Tap!
Total cost of the repair is $2.76 for 2 Stainless Steel bolts at Lowes!
This will be the first time on a tractor.
So I checked the bolt size and if I went up to a 5/16-24 with the fine threads it would fit but I would have to ream out the steel washers in the bench vise with a titanium 5/16” drill bit.
Ok, now I can try out the new Harbor Freight SAE titanium nitride tap & die set!

See vid of the issue

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Pic 1 - original bolts and washers
Pic 2&3 - new stainless steel 5-16”-24 x 1” long from Lowes
Pic 4&5 - Drilling out original steel washers to 5/16 inside diameter for new larger bolts
Pic 6,7,8 - New Titanium SAE nitride tap & die set from Harbor Freight.
Pic 9&10 - using 5/16” tap with Rapid Tap lubricant
Pic 11&12 - It worked!!

 

[Highbeam]

So why did you take the tank out in the first place? Or did it self destruct?

 

[Don2222]

So why did you take the tank out in the first place? Or did it self destruct?

I used to take it out a lot to attach the snow blower attachment in the winter but I found an easier way to do it without removing the gas tank.
The nicer SS bolts are better anyway.