Cig1988,

I had the same problem in my drive. The problem was that it was salt corroded pretty bad. I used a heli-coil, lasted about 1 run. Keep in mind it was stripped pretty bad. I did not want to spend $400 on a new bell-housing as it was mid summer and I also did not want to disassemble the entire drive. Tooltime here: I used a 1/2 inch drill bit and drilled the bellhousing (careful not to reach the boot). I tapped it with a coarse tap, I also used a coarse thread bolt that I had to hacksaw down so it would not reach the boot. As you will see the outside hole is larger than the inside hole. I went to Home Depot and found a steel spacer large enough to fit a 1/2 bolt through and the exact same size as the large opening. I also had to hacksaw the spacer down to size. I also had to chisel out the small plastic ring inside the large hole. Drove the bolt it, smooth fit and solid as a rock. I know this is a crude merthod, however I have ran about 25 hard water hours on the drive, and absolutely not movement. It saved me $400 and down time this summer. Let me know if the heli-coil does not work and you are interested in trying this method. I will be more detailed than little hole, big hole, sounds like a XXX movie.........:D

mleslie951,
I may have caught this in time. Seems that there is plenty material left and do believe this will work. "Rambunctious" had loaned me his heli-coil kit that he had sent from Michigan. Real nice of him to do that. I am new to this site and am impressed with it. Being that it's winter may be a good time for you to replace that bellhousing of yours. If you need any help/questions, let me know. It's really not a difficult task. I actually have everything stripped from the transom to replace worn steering parts etc.