Cylinder Head issue

[stirling33]

This I am sad to say is my first post and I would have liked it to be a better situation but I need some suggestions with a problem -

I am installing a pair of Aluminum GT 40 heads and the installation was going flawless until while putting the headers back on one of the threads stripped out....I am asking for suggestions on what to do...i.e. products that can be used, if this has happened to any of you and what did you do to solve the problem.

thanks

 

[racingtheburg]

Heli coil
Make a bigger hole (tap and Die Set)
Weld and tap and die


Hope this helps
anymore question >?

 

[stirling33]

Thanks for your response, the Heli coil was the route I was thinking of, what about using a self tapping bolt? Would that be an option or is the Heli coil your best bet.

 

[stangjunkie]

heli coil!! had a similer problem with a valve cover on my 48 truck... heli coil was the route i took and it worked well that way you can keep all the same bolts al the way round

 

[racingtheburg]

Self tapping bolts would not be good if you had to keep taking them on and off....

 

[rbohm]

if you decide you dont want to go the heli coil route, loctite has a product that is like epoxy and is quite strong. i forget the name of the product offhand, but it has been tested in the heat of battle on race motors up to and including top fuel motors. contact a loctite rep as they can tell you the product name.

 

[HistoricMustang]

Heli coil
Make a bigger hole (tap and Die Set)
Weld and tap and die


Hope this helps
anymore question >?

Yep, you can pick up a kit at most auto parts stores. I have two in my block!

The next time you do this go ahead and get a stud kit for the block. That will prevent the in and out, in and out that tends to make holes bigger in most things!

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com/tech.html

 

[TT670]

Edelbrock heads are factory helicoiled for this reason. If it were mine and I was pulling the head to helicoil one hole, Id take the time to do them all and be done with it.

 

[MitchGT]

heli coil. Then use a couple of studs to hold up the gasket and headers while you start all of the other bolts ( or just use studs all around. The only problem with that is that the nuts that go on the studs tend to be much larger than the 3/8" 12 point bolts that I use, and are therefore much more difficult to to get a wrench or socket on,especially with headers involved). I just use the studs while initially putting in the other bolts.