stripped head?

[underground57]

So I replaced my valve cover gasket and when I put the cover back on and started putting the bolts back in, a couple on the intake side felt like they had stripped. They didn't feel like they were tightening all the way. One of the holes is totally stripped. The bolt just kinda wiggles. Is there a fairly easy (read "inexpensive") way to fix this?

I called up the dealer to see how much a set of bolts were and the guy said that it was ~$50 for a set of "9". This was kinda confusing because there are 8 around the perimeter and 3 on top by the plug wires.

[amolao]

I just went thru that, but I done the valve cover a few times without problems, well after doing the timing chain the other day 2 of my holes were stripped, Why are looking for bolts??? Two ways to fix it: Get larger screws and rethread holes, the gettho way....or get the valve cover helicoiled, thats what I did, any good auto shop will do this for you fairly cheap.....

[ShadowKnight006]

....or get the valve cover helicoiled, thats what I did, any good auto shop will do this for you fairly cheap.....

I too have stripped threads in the head and have been lookin for a solution. Amolao, what do you mean you had the valve cover helicoiled, I am rather unframiliar with this but wouldn't that ve done to to the head not the valve cover? Appreciate input.

[DAEDALUS]

http://www.emhart.com/products/helicoil.html

Something like that, you can find them in auto stores. All you need to know is the screw diameter and thread pitch.

True you shouldn't need new bolts, but at $50 for 9 maybe they'll do your homework and make you coffee in the morning. They freaking better for that much.

[underground57]

True you shouldn't need new bolts, but at $50 for 9 maybe they'll do your homework and make you coffee in the morning. They freaking better for that much.

RIGHT?!

Yeah I didn't think I needed bolts, but I wanted to check just in case. Like shadowknight said though, wouldn't the helicoiling be done to the head and not the valve cover? I sorta understand how it works. According to that link, you have to redrill the hole, then tap it with the specific size. After that you use the install tool which threads it in until you stop and reverse, which then locks the coil into place. My question now is, is that something I can do myself or do I have to remove the head in order for them to do it? I'd rather not remove the valve cover (or head for that matter) again if I don't have to so I don't chance stripping anything else. Btw, how cheap is "fairly cheap"? Thanks guys.

[amolao]

9 new screws OEM - $ 50 dollarsghetto larger screw fix- $ 2.00 ea home depothelicoil- priceless.....

HEHEE!! just kidding, a local shop or even a friend that might have experience doing helicoil shoud be able to help you, it all depends where you go to get it done. Mine were done while the cylinder block was off the car, getting new gasket. I think it might be kind of hard to do it with the block on the car, but some people are handy and flexible enough to do it, I think....

[amolao]

oh by the way you dont need new screws, what you see on the screws is the aluminum that came from the threads when they got stripped...