striped header bolt

[CUDA JAS]

I seemed to have striped a header bolt hole on my 360.

What is the best way to fix this.

Can I use a studs to fix the problem?

thx

Jas

[bb71challenger]

you can try studs but the best way is to just helicoil it.

[72hemi]

Put a helicoil in it and then use a stud. Even though the helicoil should fix the problem, if you also use a stud you won't have to worry about the helicoil coming out or being damaged by installing and removing a bolt over and over.

[CUDA JAS]

where is the best place to buy helicoils?

[Chryco Psycho]

Hard to say what is local to you but most good parts stroes will sell the kits or tool stores should also have them

[CUDA JAS]

cool, i will check it out

[Scatterbrain]

I picked some up at Orielly's.  Its actually not hard to do, though I recommend a good drill, something that can go slow with lots of torque.  Also, make sure to drill at the correct angle, it helps to have a spotter.

[CUDA JAS]

I picked some up at Orielly's.  Its actually not hard to do, though I recommend a good drill, something that can go slow with lots of torque.  Also, make sure to drill at the correct angle, it helps to have a spotter.

Did you do it in the car or our of the car?

[Scatterbrain]

Out.  It was a 454 that was going in my vette.  It was still on the engine stand when I found out that 4 of the bolt holes were stripped on the left cylinder.  These were the top holes for the intake manifold.  I also recommend putting a big goop of vaseline on the bit to catch any metal filings.

[Robb]

ACE hardware has them too (helicoil).    youll need a drillbit, a tap and a helicoil, and a stud or a new bolt.     Its gonna cost around 40 - 50$ from ACE.  IIRC.  If you can do it in the car, great if your lucky.    on a 383 I couldnt do it without pulling the head.

[bb71challenger]

Any chance of taking out the motor mount bolts on one or both sides and jacking the engine up enough to do the job? I would sure give that a shot before pulling the head. Just 2 through bolts and its ready to go.

[dodge freak 2]

Heck I would think about pulling the wheel well and or fender off, before the head.

Guess it depends which bolt, some would be easy, others a pain.

You might get away with just taking the tire off and working from there. Believe thats how you change some spark plugs on these new cars

[ntstlgl1970]

I picked some up at Orielly's.  Its actually not hard to do, though I recommend a good drill, something that can go slow with lots of torque.  Also, make sure to drill at the correct angle, it helps to have a spotter.

Getting the hole drilled straight is the most important part, also when you get to the point of installing the helicoil, make sure you thread it in about 1/2 a turn past flush, then take a center punch and smash the lead in thread (in the cast iron) behind the helicoil so it can't back out. And don't forget to take a punch and break the "tab" off the end of the helicoil where the tool grabs it so if you install a bolt/stud that is too long, it doesn't try to continue to thread the helicoil too far.