CGT strut thread repair and such, M14x1.5 die source?

[auditude at get.net]

Hi all,

I worked on the Coupe GT until the wee hours last night/this morning, trying to swap out the springs with
other ones.

It's been a while since I've tinkered with a Type 85 suspension.  All in all, it wasn't too bad.  Not that I'm
finished.

The driver side strut has some ugly looking threads at the top.  I have been trying to find a thread die to
clean them up a bit, but nobody around town seems to have them that big.  I did find out that the threads
are M14x1.5, which I discovered by finding the matching bolt at a hardware store.

Does anyone know a good/cheap place where I could find an individual die in this size?  I imagine mail
order is what I'll end up doing.

I think I've given up trying to get the car back together this weekend, and I'd prefer to clean up the threads
on the current strut, rather than install some better ones I have.  My problem is compounded by the fact
that the allen wrench hole in the top is really buggered, and I was finally able to force the slotted nut off by
using a smaller allen wrench than is correct, and driving the thing around with a hammer and screwdriver
past the trouble spot.

That was after I figured out that I hadn't lost my allen wrench I used on the passenger side.  Since it didn't
fit the driver side, I thought I somehow had the wrong one.  Someone really buggered up the driver side
strut.  I wondered why I had to "unscrew" the top retaining cap (the one that's not threaded, but just sits
there normally) off the strut.

Also, for the life of me, I couldn't get the driver side ball joint out of the strut housing.  I had to drop the
control arm and then it actually just fell out.  I was amazed.

Some interesting engineering someone did on the ball joint retention bolt.  It's a longer bolt than stock,
with a nut and lock washer under the head to take up the slack.  It's always such a learning experience,
going through used cars.  Like the wear I found on the brake line.  Um...

Driver side control arm bushings look good.  I didn't inspect the passenger side ones, but I imagine they
might be ill since it pulls to the left slightly under acceleration.

While I'm on the subject of cutting threads, does anyone know the thread size/type on the shifter?  I'd like
to shorten it and retain the stock knob.

Thanks,

Ken