Cross threaded a bolt on header,how bad???

Rynb15

Member

Nov 21, 2005

132

2

18

Jun 25, 2006

#1

• Jun 25, 2006

• #1

Well they are used macs. And i heard they are hard to line up. But they were all fine except for one on the drivers side. So i meesed with it for awhile and got the one bolt in. So i assumed the 2nd bolt would go in as well. But after its about half way in i realize its cross threaded. So i figured i already messed it up so i just tightened it all the up. Its on there good and tight. I guess im just screwed if i ever have to take them off right? Also everything else went fine on the install. Just that one damn bolt.

 

90_Red_LX

Member

Sep 29, 2003

668

5

19

Asheboro, NC

Jun 25, 2006

#2

• Jun 25, 2006

• #2

My dad has a kit that can clean up and straighten threads which would probably be good to look into if you ever need to take it off again. Pretty simple to use, if you could get to it or use it with the heads on the car.

 

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2001

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Jun 25, 2006

#3

• Jun 25, 2006

• #3

Get a tap for the right size and tap the thread to clean it and fix it. Very simple

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Seattle

Jun 25, 2006

#4

• Jun 25, 2006

• #4

Are these Al. heads?

You have great luck if you were able to get a cross threaded bolt tight.

The next time you pull the exhaust, plan on pulling the head as well.
You will need to drill out the damaged threads and install a helicoil.

It is easy to do, but you must have direct access to the hole. So pulling the head is necessarry.

Your favorite parts store should have the helicoil kit you need.
If they don't then its time for a new favorite parts store.

jason

 

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2001

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Jun 25, 2006

#5

• Jun 25, 2006

• #5

You don't need to pull the head, dude. I cross threaded a header bolt in my trickflows when I was finishing up my 347 install. I went to home depot, got the right size tap and fixed it 1,2,3..Very simple.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

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Seattle

Jun 25, 2006

#6

• Jun 25, 2006

• #6

Sooner or later that double tapped thread will fail.
Especially when you consider how difficult it can be to get the header bolts installed, and how tightly they should be torqued.

I always suggest fixing it right the first time.

 

Rynb15

Member

Nov 21, 2005

132

2

18

Jun 25, 2006

#7

• Jun 25, 2006

• #7

thanks for the replies guys. Ya i got it on as tight as i could pull on the wrench. So hopefully it will hold untill i get money for some aftermarket heads.

 

M

mackey

Active Member

Jan 25, 2003

1,284

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38

Beverly, Massachusetts

Jun 25, 2006

#8

• Jun 25, 2006

• #8

You know you could just buy like a sub $5 tap and fix it.