Cross threaded and stripped valve cover bolt

[Wolfheckler]

So whoever worked on my 240 before i bought it cross threaded the front bolt in the middle of the valve cover into the head. Now after I removed the valve cover to take out the unnecessary timing chain guides (thanks for the extra work Nissan) the bolt just turns free, and I am getting oil in my front two spark plug tubes. I was wondering if I could so something as simple as use a tap and die tool on the head.
The car still runs, it is only hard to start when a lot of oil builds up in the tubes. I am not going to remove the head, because I really don't want to get it machined.

[obeeone]

Yes a tap would work great for that application. Take the valve cover competely off to make life easier of course. Tape off any area around the hole or use rags to insure that no metal shavings get into the head around the cams etc. You might have to use a slightly larger tap which will require a new bolt to match, unless the hole is somewhat repairable with the standard size tap for that hole. The other possiblility is to use a helicoil, which requires you to drill the hole out larger then use and insert or helicoil to return the hole back to the stock size and threading.

[Wolfheckler]

awesome thank you for the info

[OM3GA]

If you want to do it as right as possible, have someone fill the hole in with weld, then drill and tap it to the same size as the rest of them.