Fuel Rail Bolts Stripped

[kanderson111]

Tonight I was in the process of installing some new 650cc FIC injectors when I discovered that 2 of the fuel rail bolts are stripped. Has anyone had any luck using longer bolts? Would Helicoils be a reliable fix for this application? Any advice would be much appreciated, I definitely would like to avoid removing the head if it is at all possible.

 

[half-cocked]

A helicoil should work and that would be my first idea, with the intake manifold on getting a tap in there might be a biotch.

 

[LessIsMore]

Are you talking about the bolts that hold the rail to the manifold or the bolts that hold the line to the rail. Either way heli-coils will work great, I use them all the time.

As stated its gonna be a bi*** to drill and tap the manifold with it on the car.

 

[kanderson111]

Actually they are the bolts that hold the fuel rail on. They actually thread into the head, not the manifold. Though it will be a pain, I think if I find a long enough drill I can do the helicoil thing. I have a concern about the aluminum chips, so I think I will tape off the area similar to when you paint something.

 

[kelvinb]

how in the f did you do that?

 

[kanderson111]

Actually I've only owned the car for a few months. The guy I bought it from had switched the injectors out and then put the stockers back in when he decided to sell it. To shorten this story. Two of the bolts were loose when I went to take the fuel rail off. At the time I thought that was strange but I didn't fully realize the problem until I went to put it back on and they would'nt tighten down. So I think the previous owner did it. I work with the guy and he is my friend so I'm not going to ask him about it. Because other than this the car has been in excellent condition.

 

[RoasT BeeF]

I would suggest getting the longest drill bit you can find and it shouldnt be to bad.

Good luck. hehe

 

[kanderson111]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I found a 6" drill bit and the helicoils worked great. I also replaced one of the electrical sockets while I was at, because it was broke and had a wire tie holding it around the old injector. I torqued the fuel rail to 8ft/lbs per spec. I'm guessing the previous owner may have over torqued it a little.

 

[tsunari]

Any chance you could post up the helicoil kit # or thread/pitch of the fuel rail mounting bolts . . . for the archives . . .

 

[JessesTalon]

I have BAD expierence with helicoils.... but those were on spark plugs, they should work fine for your application

 

[92awddsm]

Any chance you could post up the helicoil kit # or thread/pitch of the fuel rail mounting bolts . . . for the archives . . .

I dont know the helicoil part # but the thread size and pitch is 8mmx1.25.

 

[tsunari]

I dont know the helicoil part # but the thread size and pitch is 8mmx1.25.

sweet . . . the only helicoil I've used was for one of the starter bolts- worked rather well.

What would we do without helicoil, jbweld, and zipties . . . .

 

[kanderson111]

The helicoil kit number is 5546-8 Like they said above the thread is M8x1.25. These should work great as long as you don't drill a sloppy hole and hold the tap straight when you thread the hole.