331 Build - odds and ends Q's - PICS

Thanks on the compliment!

Anyways it sounds like I will end up plugging that hole.


Now for the bad - I pulled the bolt out and sure enough it looked like there is aluminum between the threads. I put a long bolt in to check, tightened and same thing won't torque down and when I took it out it looked like metal in the threads.

So now what???????

If I pull the intake off will I need new 1250 intake gaskets? And how the heck do I fix the hole? I have a tap and die set so would I just rethread the hole to a larger bolt size? The intake would allow it.....

Foxfan88 said:

what did you torque the lower intake bolts to??
IIRC factory calls for 25 but IMO thats way too much for alum heads, way to easy to strip the holes out. ON ALUM threads, i believe edelbrock heads have all their holes helicoiled out of box to prevent this problem so i am not sure.

and in all honestly i would take it apart and find out the problem. it may suck now but think of how much it would suck to put it in the car and have a water leak, because that bolt is right next to the water port.

its alot alot easier to pull it apart now than it will be later.

Click to expand...

Well you were definetly right Foxfan88!

Much to my shigrin I pulled the intake and boy am I glad I did. You're right it's better to fix things right than swear and yell later that all the hard work is down the drain.

My dad came over and gave me a hand. We were able to pull out the heli coil with a pair of needle nose pliers as it was completely stretched. Cleaned out the hole, retapped the threads and put in a new 5/8" helicoil. PERFECT









I found out the real reasons for my problems:

1) I was stupid and used a 1/2" long handled torque wrench to torque the bolts to 18 ft lbs. when I should have used inch pounds and coverted. I was not getting a proper torque reading.

2) Little did I realize till my Dad pointed it out but the bolts I were using were all the same length. Yet when you look at the lower of my Performer II the 4 corner bolts have a raised surface therefore requiring longer bolts. Without even realizing it I barely had any of the bolt thread pulling down and that's why I pulled the coil.

So am I EVER glad I pulled it and did it properly!

Another question!

I have a Canton 15620 7qt pan with it's own dipstick. So what can I use other than silicone to plug the factory dipstick hole in the block on the driver's side? Can you buy a cap plug that small? It's about the size of a 3/8 bolt.......what has everyone else used?

I can't tap it because the oil pan is all sealed up.........obviously don't want metal shavings in my engine. Just wondering if anyone knew what size of cap plug it is?