Idler Bolt - Need to Replace

[bulletpruf]

'67 350 straight. Realized today that the idler on the right side was held on with a regular 3/4" bolt and no grease fitting, so it hasn't been getting greased.



The bolt is NLA new, so I'll have to source a used one.

A few questions -

-Can I just remove the current bolt and install a correct one? Or do I need to jack up the front of the machine and support it? Do I need to do anything to keep the idler and track from sliding off?

-How can I tell if the idler is junk?

Thanks

[bulletpruf]

Disregard. For some reason, someone put the bolt with the grease fitting on the inside instead of the outside. I'll swap them around.

[Jim B]

Make sure the shaft was drilled completely through. some might only be drilled from one side. Just something to check. Pull the bolt out and run a wire in or pump some grease in the fitting and see if it comes out the bolt hole.

[bulletpruf]

Make sure the shaft was drilled completely through. some might only be drilled from one side. Just something to check. Pull the bolt out and run a wire in or pump some grease in the fitting and see if it comes out the bolt hole.

Yeah, someone mentioned that in the 350 Facebook group. I'll check that.

Thanks

[dabear3428]

'67 350 straight. Realized today that the idler on the right side was held on with a regular 3/4" bolt and no grease fitting, so it hasn't been getting greased.



The bolt is NLA new, so I'll have to source a used one.

A few questions -

-Can I just remove the current bolt and install a correct one? Or do I need to jack up the front of the machine and support it? Do I need to do anything to keep the idler and track from sliding off?

-How can I tell if the idler is junk?

Thanks

and i thought you were going to send that bolt to your buddy down south with a lathe to drill it out for you lol

[bulletpruf]

'67 350 straight. Realized today that the idler on the right side was held on with a regular 3/4" bolt and no grease fitting, so it hasn't been getting greased.



The bolt is NLA new, so I'll have to source a used one.

A few questions -

-Can I just remove the current bolt and install a correct one? Or do I need to jack up the front of the machine and support it? Do I need to do anything to keep the idler and track from sliding off?

-How can I tell if the idler is junk?

Thanks

and i thought you were going to send that bolt to your buddy down south with a lathe to drill it out for you lol

That would work, too. But I already have a spare on the way from Danne Moore in Vermont for $10 + shipping.

thanks

[bulletpruf]

Make sure the shaft was drilled completely through. some might only be drilled from one side. Just something to check. Pull the bolt out and run a wire in or pump some grease in the fitting and see if it comes out the bolt hole.

I found some pictures of the shafts for sale online and none mention that it's drilled completely through. Given how it's constructed, I strongly suspect it's only drilled on one side for grease.

Thanks