Stripped Threads

[Lancerriot]

I just picked up a 94 Talon Tsi with 130K, I just had installed a 2100lb ACT and i noticed some oil leaking from the valve cover, so i went ahead and replaced the valve cover gasket, and as i went to retorque all the blots down it seems liek most of them are stripped, any ideas on what to do? Need help quick!

 

[NOSNUSE]

get another valve cover off Ebay or buy a tap and try to retheading the hole.

 

[92GSXman]

You can have a machine shop install a heli-coil or you could buy the set yourself and do it but it will cost as much as a used valve cover. They drill the hole bigger and put in a threaded plug with a special tool. It will be stronger than it was before it stripped.

I meant that the heli-coil set would cost as much as a used valve cover. If you have the machine shop do it, it should only cost $5-10 dollars per stripped bolt hole. Just thought I would clear that up.

 

[Defiant]

Try re-tapping.

A new valve cover won't do much for the stripped holes underneath it.

 

[Mike1992]

I had this problem to. Take the valve cover back off and retap the head for a little bigger over. I used a 1/4" standard size tap set, that i bought at my local hardware store. Came in a tap and drill combo for less than $10 made by Vermont American. Also got all new chromed out bolts to fit the same size as the tap. check out my profile looks sweet

Oh yea, Heli-Coils SUCK! My head already has Heli-Coil's Installed and they just came out with the bolts.

 

[92GSXman]

If your heli-coils came out they probably weren't installed correctly. Ask any machine shop and they will tell you that heli-coils are better than the original threads.