Stripped threads

[70mopar]

I have a 1977 440 engine that is in a 70 Challenger. The valve cover bolt hole in the cylinder head, right behind the alternator, is stripped out. How do I repair this without removing the head?

Thanks

[ChallengerHK]

You can try to use a helicoil.

[Oldschool]

X2  ^^^

[70mopar]

I haven't removed the valve cover yet so I didn't know if there was enough material between the bolt hole and the edge or the head to drill a larger hole for the helicoil. Also does anybody know how deep these holes are. Does anyone have any experience with Time-Sert insertes?

Thanks all

[GranCuda1970]

Stripped smooth or is there enough thread to chase it with a tap? I have learned things that look Fubar sometimes can be fixed.

[70mopar]

Dont know if it is stripped smooth, havent removed the valve cover to see down the hole better, just know its stripped.

[72cudamaan]

Time serts are a solid helicoil. They also need a larger thread to thread in to, so don't use that.
Can you drill the original hole deeper and tap it? Then just use a longer bolt.

[Bullitt-]

Or maybe just a smidgin longer bolt will solve the issue 

[70mopar]

I tried a longer bolt but it seemed like it bottomed out right away, as if someone else already did this and now there are no more threads left.

[ChallengerHK]

Which is entirely possible.

[the_engineers]

Helicoil is your best option.

[4 speed fish]

I would drill a 1/4 in down and then tap it,use a 1/4 longer bolt,you only need the bolt to grab a few threads.I would use some silicone on the bolt so it will not back out.

[ChallengerHK]

Any bolt has about 60% of its tension on the first thread and about 30% on the second thread, and the rest is distributed throughout the length of the remaining threads. So, in other words, if you've engaged two threads, you've got 90% of that bolts potential working for you.

[PlumCraZRT]

I would put a 1.5D helicoil in that bad boy then go pound a beer. 

[70mopar]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Looks like I got some decisions to make.