Stripped bolt hole

[CowtownCobra]

I was retorqueing the intake manifold on my 351w and stripped one of the bolt holes in my aluminum head. As I recall, there is a part of the intake gasket that goes all the way around the pocket where this bolt hole sets. My question is, can I drill and helicoil the head without metal shavings getting into the rest of the engine, or do I need to remove the intake manifold?


Dave

[any4xx]

I'd sure not try it with the manifold in place. But that's just me...

[trularin]

Assume yes and do it right.

Dave, man do not even think they will not and then have them fall in, it would be BAD!!

[sllib]

Dave;
Maybe the shavings won't get in the engine this time, but they will the next time, and you can bet it'll be the WORST possible time. Pull the manifold, check all the threads and, if another hole looks bad, helicoil all of them. I just had to do that to my AFR 205's while port matching the manifold. I finally got a stud set from ARP and problem solved.
Bill Stradtner

[Rick Parker]

This is very dodgy situation at best. The boss's that are part of the cylinder head that the bolts thread into are open on the bottom to the valley area, directly above the lifters. The shavings will end up there and ultimately your oil pump (not good). You can do this without removing the heads but you will need to remove the manifold to do it properly. Once removed you will be able to put a rag under the area to be repaired.

[nevermind65]

I would remove the intake, but use a keensert instead of a Helicoil. They are stronger, easier to put in, and have less chance of ripping the threads out next time you remove the intake.

[J Persons]

What kind of head is it? Edelbrock heads are helicoiled from the factory. If you stripped out a helicoil, you will need to remove the head to have it repaired.

[bkozlow]

Dave,

One thing you might consider is to use an adhesive to set a stud in. Check cotronics.com they might have an adhesive that will meet your needs.

Bill K