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I have had an oil leak on my engine (1750 in a 71 Spider) that makes the Exon Valdez look lazy. A steady drip even when the engine wasn't running and coating the bottom of the engine and transmission while driving.
I cleaned the engine and checked all the bolts on the lower pan - discovered one (of 17 !) that seemed to be stripped on the rear driver's side of the pan. After snugging all the bolts on the pan, this place now drips even more steadily.
Bought a heli-coil kit, 17 new bolts, a new(er) lower pan and a gasket, and dropped the pan off the car.
I found that the pan is cracked around the bolt that appeared to be stripped.
Now what? Can I use something like JB Weld on the crack?
Do I have to find someone who can do aluminum welding?
Do I have to get another pan?
The leak is too big to ignore so that isn't an option.
An interesting note: When I put in a new bolt, it seems to fit snugly.....
My thinking is that the best current course is:
1. Do the heli-coil anyhow. This is my first attempt but it doesn't seem too hard.
2. Clean thoroughly and apply JB weld to the crack.
3. Pray
4. If praying fails, drink.
Opinions and recommendations please?
Thanks!
I cleaned the engine and checked all the bolts on the lower pan - discovered one (of 17 !) that seemed to be stripped on the rear driver's side of the pan. After snugging all the bolts on the pan, this place now drips even more steadily.
Bought a heli-coil kit, 17 new bolts, a new(er) lower pan and a gasket, and dropped the pan off the car.
I found that the pan is cracked around the bolt that appeared to be stripped.

Now what? Can I use something like JB Weld on the crack?
Do I have to find someone who can do aluminum welding?
Do I have to get another pan?
The leak is too big to ignore so that isn't an option.
An interesting note: When I put in a new bolt, it seems to fit snugly.....
My thinking is that the best current course is:
1. Do the heli-coil anyhow. This is my first attempt but it doesn't seem too hard.
2. Clean thoroughly and apply JB weld to the crack.
3. Pray
4. If praying fails, drink.
Opinions and recommendations please?
Thanks!