Stripped Valve Cover Bolts [Merged 5-8]

[NA4g63]

Hey guys, im new to this site but anywho...
Almost all the bolts holding my valve cover down were stripped, i dunno if any of you have this problem but what i did was get a 1/4" 20 thread tap, 6-3/4" 20 thread 1/4" diameter bolts, 8-" 20 thread 1/4" dia. bolts, 14 1/4" dia. washers.
Take the valve cover off and use the tap to make the holes a little larger. be damn careful not to get the little alluminum shavings in the engine.

 

[PaleDSM]

Ebay always has nice SS sets with nylon washers. Pretty cheap too.

 

[dave99gst]

the thing is though (if I remember right) there are 3 different size bolts used to hold down the valve cover and I'm not sure if I have all 3 sizes. That's why I was looking for a pre-made set online

there the same size.. just diff lengths
http://ssstuds.com/valvecover-set.htm

and i think there a site vendor also.

 

[Eclipsionz23]

alright, while tightening the bolts on my header, i thought id do some random tightening up on some bolts, and torqing them to spec.. i noticed that on my valve cover, there were 3 bolts that were pretty loose. so, i tighten 2 up and i get to the 3rd one ( the bolt next to the #1 spark plug ) and it never tightens. so, i decide to try to take it off and it wont come off either!! it just seems to be stripped! is this bad? i know its not necessarily good, but could there be any damage done for it not being tightened down all the way?
thanx in advance

eric

 

[oldman]

alright, while tightening the bolts on my header, i thought id do some random tightening up on some bolts, and torqing them to spec.. i noticed that on my valve cover, there were 3 bolts that were pretty loose. so, i tighten 2 up and i get to the 3rd one ( the bolt next to the #1 spark plug ) and it never tightens. so, i decide to try to take it off and it wont come off either!! it just seems to be stripped! is this bad? i know its not necessarily good, but could there be any damage done for it not being tightened down all the way?
thanx in advance

eric

Take that bolt to the hardware store and get the same sizebolt/thread slightly longer.

 

[Eclipsionz23]

thats just the thing, it wont come off. it just spins

 

[oldman]

Use a needle nose, pull as you turn. It may just be RTV holding it.

 

[luv4turbos]

Stick something under the head of the bolt while your trying to loosten it. You could use needle nose pliers or even a screwdriver.

 

[Eclipsionz23]

ok cool-ill try the pliers and the screwdriver in the morning and post bak to see if it werked or not. thanx guys! oh, whats RTV?

eric

 

[oldman]

oh, whats RTV?

Silicon sealant sometime used with valve cover gasket.

 

[Eclipsionz23]

ohh ok-thanx but i didnt use any of that when i changed the gasket, just had the rubber seals. later

eric

 

[gstowner]

HI,
I replaced my valve cover gasket last year. I was being really careful not to over tighten and strip the threads in the hole. On the back middle hole I had it on snug(not overtight at all) and I went to give it a small little tug and it slipped. I dont know if it was already weak or what. I got it to stick good enough that it didnt seap any oil until now. My question is what is the best way to fix it? Helicoil possibly? Has anyone else had this problem before. I want to be really careful since were talking about threads in the head.

thanks guys

 

[slider85]

I had an insert put into one of my threads which was a threaded piece with a nut that holds down the valve cover.

 

[Defiant]

Helicoil. They're not crucial threads, they're easy to get to, and it's a good place to learn to use inserts.

 

[gstowner]

Awesome thanks bro!

 

[dikdiamond]

I'm going to replace my valve cover gasket(leaking) and repair my cracked cover with JB Weld to stop a leak I've been having around the half-moon area. I recently noticed the crack(had the car for 3 months and have not tightened any of those bolts,its on the inside of the spark plug well) while changing plugs/wires. Anyway I loosened all the bolts abit to see if the crack would close up some and noticed that 2 were stripped out,1 bolt missing all together. One is above where the spark plug wires go to the coil pack from the cover,the other near the half-moon gasket. I'm limited in my experience with working on cars and I'm sure I can change the gasket no probs(I've searched this site the past few hours on the subject) but I'm not sure about the stripped holes. I've never used a tap. Should I go bigger or same size bolts? I want to do this tomorrow as I'm tired of loosing oil

 

[kspharris]

If you go bigger then you will have to use a bigger bolt. I would use a HeliCoil set. That would be the best I think. Hope this helps.

 

[JayRolla]

Your going to have to re thread the holes to a bigger bolt or get a new head. Remember when tightening the valve cover bolts, dont torque them. 10lb/tq is all you need.
FAR too much!

 

[fourreGsixty3]

Here you are>>> http://www.plymouthlaser.com/heli.htm

Dustin

 

[dikdiamond]

Thanks for all the advice,not sure how I'm gonna do it yet but glad I have some options to think about.

 

[96gstdsm]

I am just wondering if anyone knows the exact size for the valve cover bolts on the 2g eclipse gst? I lost one while replacing the calve cover gasket and i this is my only car so i don't want to take one out to go to a shop to buy one. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.---Ryan.

 

[91 Turbo Mitsu]

Hey Ryan, My 1G is a m6x1.0 thread and the bolt is about 1 inch long. It should be the same for a 2G. Hope this helps. Travis

 

[96gstdsm]

I just got in the mail a ss valve cover bolt kit. I removed my old bolts and they are all the same length. My new set has some shorter bolts and then some longer bolts. My question is where do the longer ones bolt in and where do the shorter ones?
If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks.


-- Ryan.

 

[silver bullit]

I believe the smaller bolt go in the inner part where the plugs go and the bigger bolts go on the outside, or just take a deep gauge to check or carefully screw in each one. The thing did not come with direction,or do the have a helpline that they can help you with your problem.

 

[96gstdsm]

I believe the smaller bolt go in the inner part where the plugs go and the bigger bolts go on the outside, or just take a deep gauge to check or carefully screw in each one. The thing did not come with direction,or do the have a helpline that they can help you with your problem.

That is what i was figuring. No it did not come with anything or any number to call. I will try just doing that, hopefully will work. Thanks.

 

[silver bullit]

Be carefull not to crack the valve cover they dont need much to be over torqued.