help!!! stripped valve cover bolt

[kpariaug]

i have a question i removed my valve cover to paint it and when i was putting it back on i stripped the bolt, well the treads on the head i guess because when it wasnt tightening and i took it back out there was a spiral of metal around the bolt and now it never gets tight.

the bolt is the last one in the center towards the back on the ka24de. so far everything looks ok, ive diriven it around about 2 days after it happened and i guess everything is ok.

what should i do? is this a serious problem, and can i fix it w/o replacing the head??? thanks.

[180fan]

helicoil

[ddgsxr504]

helicoil

Bingo.

[bone_stock_240]

I never even thought of something like that. Does anyone know the transmission cross member bolt specs? I stripped the threads on one of mine.

[kpariaug]

sorry, i still dont understand what i need to buy, do i HAVE to drill a bigger hole or can i just insert the coil.

and what size do you think i should get, also does anyone know if they are sold in parts stores like NAPA, ADVANCE, AUTOZONE? thanks.

[bone_stock_240]

If I remember correctly, you drill it out, retap it, and then insert the helicoil with a special tool. Just find out what size and thread pitch the bolt is, and then you can buy the corresponding helicoil kit. Should cost like $30 bucks or something off of ebay.

[kpariaug]

o ok. and do you guys think its an urgent situation. i just want to avoid any drilling (i'm scared ill f*** up BAAAD)

[bone_stock_240]

Then get someone more skilled to help you out. It isnt that hard, especially since the hole is already there. It will be easier to keep the drill going straight.

[tramp_drift240]

TO THE TOP.

anyone have the specs for the valvecover bolt threads, or whatever information im needing to get the right helicoil kit?

BOTH bolts on the very front of my valve cover, AND BOTH bolts on the very back of my valve cover are stripped out due to the previous owner, so ive got some oil running down my head.

[verSat1l3]

Take one of the good bolts out and down to the hardware store. They should have a thread sizer that will tell you exactly what thread size to get. All the bolts on the valve cover have the same dimensions/thread if I remember correctly.

[high flya]

And make sure you grease the hole so the metal shaving clumps together, and mask off the immediate area so that metal doesn't fall into the head.