Stripped pipe threading for shower diverter stem - what to do?

Question

Trying to fix things around my mom's house and came across a leaking diverter stem in her shower. Upon inspection, I noticed gobs of pipe dope and teflon tape at the joint. I took the stem off and noticed the first 1/4" of the pipe (female) is badly stripped. Only if I take off the gasket can the stem begin to catch on the threading and even then, I can only further hand-tighten it a 1/4 turn. The stem itself only has about 1/2" of threading. Short of tearing down the tile and wall and sweating on new pipes--something beyond my ability--what's a good fix that's long lasting? I don't like to cut corners. Some ideas I had:

1. Capping off the pipe completely and moving the diverter to the tub spout. I should be able to find a deep cap that'll catch on the good threading (past the 1/4" mark) and make a good seal. Ugly since the cap will jut out beyond the tile.

2. Use a hot/cold stem in place of the diverter and move the stem as above. These stems have more threading.

Answer 1

Clean out the treads male and female using a small brass or steel wire brush. Then go buy some expoxy at Lowes and epoxy it right into there. There are numerous epoxies that will do the job for you. Pick the high strength "repair filler" kind.

That will last indefenitely. When its time to revamp the bath of course replace that fitting with a new one.

Answer 2

if i understand the question correctly--with a tap & die set--tap some new threads into the female fitting(use some light oil-even wd40)--then use your die (with the oil) to make your threads as long as you want--use pipe dope covered teflon and rethread--just don't over tighten the fitting-good & snug is good enough--hopefully it will keep you from tearing out the wall

Answer 3

cut off the one quarter inch above the streads,
sand paper the cut so you can slide a new brass oversize replacement piece with threads, solder it in place . i do it all the time, looks not so bad you can use copper also. Cool eh?