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.

 

[romeen]

If the N/T VC bolts are the same size at the turbo ones (M6 x 1.00) then you could just get some 1/4" bolts with a 20 thread pitch and thread them in there without having to retap. The size and thread pitch is close enough that it will work. Admittedly, this is not the "best" way to take care of it but it will work and save quite a bit of time and expense.

 

[knochgoon24]

You could also pickup a heli-coil or perma-coil kit. It's similar to the timeserts in installation and function.

 

[daygloworange]

I did this too! It turns out the bolts for the valve cover are different sizes and I accidentally used a short one where a long one was supposed to go- keep track of the bolts and make sure you use the right bolt for the right hole. I just drilled it out and re-tapped it, works fine now.

 

[All_Boost16G]

This is why I love the studded Valve Cover for my GST.

 

[Defiant]

The easiest and quickest way for the valve cover is to re-tap the holes in the head to ¼-20, and just switch to Imperial bolts for there. It'll work just fine.

 

[TSI4Life]

alright, im gonna try retaping it. Thanks alot guys.

 

[tsi1991awd]

When I changed my VC I had 4 holes that were stripped. 2 of those were stripped beforehand. I got an M6x1 Helicoil kit. It comes with the tap, helicoil threads, and insert tool. To do the 4 bolts, it took me less than 10 minutes. Just put a bit of oil in the holes, use the tap and make sure you go in STRAIGHT and use a T handle to tap it. Make sure to put a towel around the head and in where the cams are because little metal shavings will start popping everywhere. After that, just insert the helicoil threads and you're good to go...they won't back out or anything.

I bought allen head SS bolts from Bonehead Performance and they are really nice.

 

[JusMX141]

The ¼"x 20 trick mentioned by Defiant is what I used for certain bolts on my motocross bikes that weren't used very often. If you don't pull the valve cover all the time, this will work perfectly for you.

I choose to drill out the valve cover bolt threads on every head I get in my possession and install 6mm x 1.0 HeliCoils as permanent repairs. The HeliCoil threads are stainless steel and will not strip no matter how many times you have the cover off.


Your car being a non-turbo, I recall the 420A valve cover bolts being collared so they cannot be over-torqued....although the collar may not be part of the bolt. If it is part of the bolt, you may end up going the Heli-Coil route so you can continue using the collared bolts.

 

[TSI4Life]

what size should i use for the helicoil or the time-sert? I should buy the kit right?

 

[JusMX141]

I just pulled one of the valve cover bolts on my '97 GS's 420A. It's definitely a collared bolt, so using a bigger bolt is a no-no....and it's definitely a 6mm x 1.0 thread pitch. The collar is about 1" long, the threads are about 1/2" in length.

The HeliCoil kit you'll need is part number 5546-6, should sell for around $25, and comes with everything shown here:

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You'll also need a ¼" drill bit to drill your existing hole to the proper size in order for the HeliCoil's tap to properly function.

 

[TSI4Life]

alright thanks alot guys, you made my headache go away!

 

[JusMX141]

Tip of the day:

Keep a Shop Vac concentrated on the threaded hole in the head while you drill and tap the new threads for the HeliCoil. This will prevent any of the aluminum slivers from entering the engine.

 

[Defiant]

So will coating the tap with grease.

 

[Hcaruso4]

A lot of my valve cover bolt holes are stripped. what is the best way to fix this? Helicoil? If so does anyone know what size to use and where i can purchase them?

 

[DGajre777]

I would just buy a spare valve cover without any stripped holes.

 

[JayRolla]

I would just buy a spare valve cover without any stripped holes.

Wow thats confusing. I always through the threads where in the head and not the valve cover. which is true.

To the OP my best fix has always been to use a little longer bolt that wont bottom out or a larger diameter and pretty much make my own threads. Never tighten the valve cover bolts with a wrench, it just causes them to strip. I use the socket, extenstion with just my hand and no wrench to be safe.

 

[knochgoon24]

Wow thats confusing. I always through the threads where in the head and not the valve cover. which is true.

To the OP my best fix has always been to use a little longer bolt that wont bottom out of a larger diameter and pretty much make my own threads. Never tighten the valve cover bolts with a wrench, it just causes them to strip. I use the socket, extenstion with just my hand and no wrench to be safe.

The torque spec is something like 2.2 ft-lbs. I just snug them a bit.

 

[JayRolla]

The torque spec is something like 2.2 ft-lbs. I just snug them a bit.

Yeap and everytime I do an oil change I snug them up so I dont get leaks. They always like to loosen up a bit.

 

[DGajre777]

Wow thats confusing. I always through the threads where in the head and not the valve cover. which is true.

Think outside of the box...

 

[JayRolla]

Think outside of the box...

I actually did think of that when I posted, . But I was thinking of the two for the timing belt cover. I completely forgot people still use the spark plug cover. MY BAD!!!

Now I dont know what stripped holes he is talking about. Ive never stripped the actual valve cover bolt holes. I was expecting the head since they strip so easily.

 

[mitsuman3000]

buy a cheap tap and die set at harbor freight tools then get some stainless bolts of your choice at true value

 

[TurboTsiThatFly]

Think outside of the box...

haha thats exactly what i thought when he said stripped bolts holes Which Are Only On the valve cover.

 

[Hcaruso4]

sorry for not being more specific i was refering to the holes in the head being stripped. I guess my best bet will be to try to use the tap and get new bolts from the hardware store. Thanks for the input

 

[Defiant]

Either Heli-Coil the stripped holes, or just tap them all to ¼-20 and replace the bolts.

 

[AndrewD5418]

How would one remove a heilcoil in the head easily? I've got a head that has one of the holes converted to some standard sized bolt and I'd like them all to be the same thread pitch.