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Stripped Valve Cover Bolt

T

texas85cj8

Legacy Registered User
City
Plano
State
TX
I have tapped an existing valve cover bolt and made it a 5/16" size in order to accomodate my new aluminum valve cover (258 6 cyl.). Unfortunately, one of the bolts will not grab. Any thoughts on how to repair? Can I insert a sleave? I hate to go up a size. A metric size would be the next closes increment. Thanks for your help.
 
Helicoils....they work great. Just get the kit for whatever bolt size is stripped and follow the instructions. Several serious parts would fall off my Scrambler if it weren't for these things.
 
Did you use a bottoming tap? One that threads flush with the bottom of your hole. That might get you a couple of extra threads. I had all kinds of hell installing an aluminum valve cover. I drilled into my water jacket on one side. On the other I used too large of a bolt, and the bolt head wouldn't clear the edge of the new cover. I ended up filling the holes with JB Weld and re-tapping. Make sure that Heli-coils will work in cast iron before you spend the money.

Later,

PS Let us know if the heli-coils will work. I may replace my JB Weld if they do.
 
Helicoils are threaded inserts you use when you have a stripped bolt hole, available at most hardware and auto supply stores. J.B.Weld is an epoxy cement, will hold most anything, but I've never tried to thread it.
 
Tapping head for valve cover

Like Tom, I drilled through to the water jacket :( . Now, I have to use pipe sealant on the threads of that bolt everytime I pull the valve cover, but it works.

If you have to go up in bolt size, the bolt head to valve cover clearance will most-likely not allow you to use a socket on the cover. In that case, consider using SS or Grade 8 hex head bolts.
 
I drilled through the water jacket on one bolt hole as well. I feel like a real dip shit. I am getting ready to have the engine rebuilt. I presume I should replace the piece I drilled through? Or should I buy a whole new engine?
 
I could not get the 1/4" bolts to bite in my valve cover experience and had to tap out to the 5/16-i had a hell of a time grinding the bolts down to clear the side of the valve cover-it did work after a lot of trail fitting-still have a leak,but not near as bad as before-"if it don't leak then there is no oil in it"-must apply to all six bungers-JC:mad:
 
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