GC456

Cam install gone bad..... I got the cam in and the new LS6 oil pump on..... I took the first spring off on the Pass side(#2 hole) and go to put on the new spring and I stripped out the rocker stud threads in the head about 1/4" deep!

So much for that! I guess I have to buy new heads now
I have already spent $2500.00 on this cam/spring/intake/oil pump swap and I really hate to spend another $2000.00 on a new set of heads, when a new LS2 costs $5000.00.

Any suggestions on what to do?

2000LS1TA

iTrader: (26)

You could drill and tap it, or put a helicoil in it. Good Luck

GC456

I thought helicoils were a no-no in heads, especially aluminum one? I don't really know much about them.

juicedls1

iTrader: (9)

Yep, drill and tap, then heilcoil, just like he said. No need to buy new heads, just make sure no metal shavings get in the engine!!!!

juicedls1

iTrader: (9)

They will hold just fine remember ur rocker bolt only torques to like 20ftlbs!

Steve Bryant

iTrader: (1)

Install a Helicoil in the stud boss. Life isn't over yet.

You will need to take a rocker bolt with you to an auto parts store and get the helicoil set consisting of a drill bit, a tap, a helicoil inserter and a few Helicoils (maybe 6). Now, you just drill out the hole in the boss (the metal protrusion that the bolt screws into) making sure not to drill too deep. You may want to get a couple of drill bits that are progressively smaller than the one that comes with the helicoil set. That way, you will keep the new hole on the proper axis by drilling progressively larger holes in steps.

Mask the boss off so as to minimize the shavings that fall into the head. Then you create a new female thread with the tap. Get some cutting oil and turn 1/2 turn clockwise, a quarter turn counter clockwise and repeat untill the hole is tapped.

Vaccuum the shavings from around the area where you have been working. Get some red lock tite and put it on the Helicoil and screw the helicoil in. Then break off the little insertion tab. Let the locktite set up for a few hours and you'll be ready to go. You can do the rest of the springs while you're waiting.

When you screw in the valve spring compressor tool on the remaining valves, tighten it snugly, but avoid over tightening and the potential of stripping.

Best of luck! You'll get there.

Steve

ls1_doc

iTrader: (6)

If the heli sets correctly it should actually be stronger than the aluminum threads. I know a guy the use to build on vw motors and he would heli them just because they were stronger lol.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

These guys are correct. Helicoil. It will indeed be stronger than the original threads. Some race motors are built with helicoils from the start for this reason.

Rodrigues

Some reputable shops will drill out your old good threads to put helicoils in the heads. LT1 heads came with helicoils from the factory.

Fratsit

iTrader: (1)

Felt this was worth repeating.....you dont want to snap the tap in your head.

If it starts to get hard to turn, relieve the tension by turning counter clockwise.

Good luck.

R/

Frat

losiguy

iTrader: (7)

I'm assuming you bought a FAST 90/90 intake because $2500 for cam,spring,intake and pump is

you can get PRC heads, springs, titanium retainers and valves, timing chain, and oil pump and a ASP UD Pulley for like $1900.

SteveDoten@ARH

next time thread the stud into the rocker boss until oil starts puking from the threads, you'll see the oil start to seep right before the stud bottoms out

Griswold

iTrader: (5)

I would also recommend getting a different spring compressor if you were using those threads to compress the spring

04gtoBMXracer

iTrader: (26)

just get some used 243's you can find them on here for around 600

Billy177

yea i hae edelbrock aluminum heads on my pontiac 455 and it has helicoils from the factory for the rocker studs and header bolts

Studytime

iTrader: (15)

Quoted for truth. All of the race SBC heads at work have heli-coils in them from the start. The heads are set up with around 320 on the seat and 600# open if that makes you feel better. A heli-coil will be way stronger than tapped Aluminum by virtue of design.

I'd try a tap before you pulled the head off the car though.

Ben T.