exhaust header bolts

[danaspider]

Well I seem to have done a good one. Was doing some general checks on the engine tonight, and found that I cannot tighten 2 of the bolts on the exhaust header to the engine. They seem to be stripped out. I am looking for the best way to fix the problem.

Do not want to pull the engine!!

Suggestions?

Let me know.

Just when it was going well.

[pope]

Depends... Are you using real bolts, or the double threaded end bolts that came factory?
Where are the threads stripped, in the head or the nut on the end of the bolt?

My bet its the thread in the aluminum head.
If the bolt is stripped on the end of the bolt, where you are tightening the nut, removing the exhaust manifold will allow you to get to the bolts to replace them. If its in the head, then I think you will have to take the head off the motor and have them retapped with larger bolts. They make replacements that are larger on one end (the side that gets put into the retapped side) and regular size on the other, so that the manifold still goes through the same size bolt.

If you have 2 that way, might be time to pull the head and check them all.
Mark might have a trick up his sleeve though.

[danaspider]

Hey Pope, it is in the head. One is the double ended the other a regular bolt. I can put the correct torgue on the others so at the moment they seem good. Will check when I pull the exhaust header off.

Just hoping for a trick other than the helicoils. Can retap to bigger double ended. Will see how the discussion goes.

Thanks

[So Cal Mark]

helicoils are the best, permanent fix. You should be able to install them just by removing the manifold. I'd use studs, not bolts.

[dlbj]

Here's a product that my buddy sent to me. He restores old motorcycles and on occasion has used these:

http://www.timesert.com/

He says that Porsche and maybe BMW and Mercedes use these stock.

[pope]

Sounds OK,
might be better for a spark plug though. You have to drill the hole, bore the hole, tap the hole, and then insert the insert with a tool. And do that bending over the fender of the car in cramped space. Now multiply that by each hole. I would worry about screwing up a hole on my only head.

I know that Mark has special tools that allows him to work in weird positions, I dont. I always have to take things apart and work on things in a more relaxed position.

Might be worth taking to a pro to do.

[KRegester]

Those look great.
Helicoils are such a PITA to use and utimately fail at least they have for me every time I have used them.
I will have to get a kit!
Nice find!
-=Ken=-