Helicoil check list.

[sprfunk]

Hey, I am looking to do a helicoil on my exhaust manifold because the hole stripped out. This is my first time doing this so I am just trying to be sure I order everything to get this right. Should this be all I need?
http://www.ssstuds.com/pics/repair/m8tap.jpg
and
http://www.ssstuds.com/pics/repair/m8helicoilkit.jpg
and a
21/64 drill bit

What should I do as far as a stud goes, is the old one ok or do I have to get a larger one?

 

[onebadtsi]

Looks like you have everything. If the old one is still ok use it. Heilcoil is designed to use the same size bolt/stud as what was in there (if you buy the right size stuff)

 

[dsmzoom]

You have everything you need, but for the exhaust manifold you may want to look into time serts, im not sure if they are used on these forums but on past vehicles if ive stripped out a major component I use time serts. Their a little expensive but are definitely worth it in the long run. time sert is like a thin wall that is self locking, solid bushing steel insert with positive placement. inserts have a flange, which will give them a positive placement on installation for "accurate specific depths". This ensures that the insert does not wind down into the threaded hole. Since they are solid bushing inserts it adds to the strength.Do some research on them and if you decide to use the helicoil thats fine too.

 

[turboglenn]

+1 Time-serts Rock but are harder to come by and a lot less known of. If you can get them all the better, if not plain heli-coil brand is tried and trued as well.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Hey, I am looking to do a helicoil on my exhaust manifold because the hole striped out. This is my first time doing this so I am just trying to be sure I order everything to get this right. Should this be all I need?
http://www.ssstuds.com/pics/repair/m8tap.jpg
and
http://www.ssstuds.com/pics/repair/m8helicoilkit.jpg
and a
21/64 drill bit

What should I do as far as a stud goes, is the old one ok or do I have to get a larger one?

You only need that second link. You don't need a drill bit unless you're working with creating completely new threads, which you're not. The second has the tap which you'll use to clean/cut the existing threads for the helicoil insert. To use the tap you can use a socket wrench and a socket, but this is difficult to keep perpendicular and level, but not impossible as this is how I did my first one at a local DSM club meet in the hot freaking sun in the middle of a park haha I'd recommend getting a tool to attach to the tap which will be more stable than a socket wrench.

When you're doing the cutting with the tap you need to go very slowly and make sure you're going perpendicular to the head. Also, you need to periodically clean out the threads you've cut, so you should go like 1/2 turn in, 1/4 turn out or something... maybe it's more like one turn in and 1/2 turn out because it's been a couple years since I had to do this. You may even want to back the tap out all the way occasionally and blow out the metal shavings, but when re-inserting the tap again make sure to go slowly.

You need to make sure the cut threads in the head are very clean and here's why. That plastic handle used to insert the helicoil insert is cheap cheap cheap plastic Any real friction with the insert and the head and it can twist apart and stop putting rotational force on the insert. The insert can bend apart too. No rotational force == stuck insert :-\ Once you've finished cutting the threads with the tap, use some compressed air to get the metal shavings out, or some other solution you come up with (I think I sprayed PB blaster up in there once because I had no air source).

Don't forget anti-sieze on the manifold nuts when re-installing. This helps to minimize you pulling the stud out the head instead of the nut off the stud.

 

[sprfunk]

Alright thanks all. I just made my order. I just hope it goes well from here on out... Update soon to come.

 

[Defiant]

The "cheap" plastic insertion tool is designed so that the tang pulls in on the coil as it's being threaded-in, making it easier to thread in than a bolt going into those threads.

 

[sprfunk]

Ok I drilled and tapped the hole. I have a great looking hole now. I have a question that may be stupid but... There is a tab on the helicoil (sti) for installing that is basically grabbed by the install rod. Now with that tab it does not seem like I can get more then one sti in at a time. Do I only need one or is there a way to get more to attach?

 

[romeen]

I've never heard of anyone using two inserts end to end (I think that's what you mean). One will be plenty for the exhaust manifold stud. You will be amazed at how secure the stud is going to feel when threading it in.

 

[sprfunk]

O ok, then I guess I would not screw them all the way into the back, just kinda leave it about 1/2 turn below surface. That makes since because the studs don't go all that deep... Thanks. Hopefully I will be done by the weekend...