Originally Posted by
3alarmer
...I think that you can get away with the teflon tape for a while, but because of the constant and
unrelenting high torque in this area, it will eventually fail in use....probably depends on how much
of a void your trying to fill with it. In this application, I'd use it dry.
There is a recommended Loctite product I learned of in another thread that is used for the Cannondale
BB 30 pressed in bearing bottom brackets to stop the annoying squeaking problems a lot of people encounter.
If you check the Loctite site, it will be listed as a bedding compound, which is formulated to take compressive
forces and maintain dimensional stability in the void, you want the lowest strength one they make, that is
recommended for parts that require periodic disassembly, the others will simply weld the cups in place. And
since I've not used it for this purpose, even that might be too strong.
Regular old Loctite is pretty good in terms of filling thread voids of this nature, and can be taken apart again
without incident. I've personally not seen a DB 531 frame on the level of the International that was threaded
other than standard, but I've only worked on maybe a dozen of them.
I've never had Teflon tape fail and I've gone over 10,000 miles between bb inspections. However, as you mentioned, it depends on the gap you are trying to fill. Mine are all good bottom brackets installed in bb shells in perfect condition so the fit was first class.
A gap-filling version of Locktite should make a slightly sloppy fit work a lot better but your warning about using the proper grade is very important. A high strength formula will require a torch to disassemble.
I wasn't sure about the OP's threading except the "International" said it could be English. I've no personal experience with them. I believe Nottingham Raleighs were still using Raleigh's own threading in '74.