Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Header bolts wont go in...**HELP**

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 2, 2010 | 12:14 PM
  #1  
yesaCSpencer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Default Header bolts wont go in...**HELP**

Ok, so to start out im doing an ls1/t56 swap into a '95 240sx. I bought a wrecked 02 Z28 with less than 53,000 as a donor car. I dropped the subframe to get the motor out and then i put the motor on a stand and started taking the stock manifold off because i was planing on getting LT's, but now im just going to use the stock manifolds because of moeny issues. So I went to put the stock mani's back on with the stock header bolts and they will only go in a few turns (by hand) and then they are hard as hell to get in. I went to put one in with a wrench and got it all the way in, and for some reason(not sure why?) i took it out and the whole hole is stripped and there is aluminum in the threads of that bolt. So im scared to put anymore in because i dont want this to happen again. Should i buy new header bolts? And if so what kind? Also, for the stripped bolt hole should I just helicoil it or what?

-Casey
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2010 | 12:50 PM
  #2  
silversrtman's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
From: Carmel, NY
Default

you should take a tap and run it through the rest of the holes to clean them out.
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 12:39 AM
  #3  
98RedBird's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default

^^^ I wouldn't use a tap, I'd use a thread chaser. Using a tap CAN work but it can also undercut the treads if you're not careful and make it that much easier to strip when you go to install the bolt, especially in an aluminum head.

More than likely the reason you're having difficulty getting them to thread by hand is the loctite that they use from the factory. Need to clean it out and then use copper anti zieze when you install the new bolts.
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 12:51 AM
  #4  
yesaCSpencer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Default

One of my friends told me to try burning the locktite off of the bolts but it didnt really help. How do you clean out the hole?
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 08:56 AM
  #5  
HavATampa's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,128
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
Default

With a thread chaser like posted above. It looks like a tap, but it's not as agressive and is designed to clean up the threads rather than create them. Same thing that should be used on head bolt holes to clean them when swapping heads. But it sounds like you aready screwed up one of the holes, so you have a bigger issue with that one than a thread chaser can fix. Have you removed the manifolds and tried putting a bolt in all the other holes?


Originally Posted by yesaCSpencer
One of my friends told me to try burning the locktite off of the bolts but it didnt really help. How do you clean out the hole?
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 02:32 PM
  #6  
WagnutSS's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Kansas & Washington
Default

if the tap wont clean up the threads, then try using Heli coils, they are amazing for that kind of thing, kinda pricey though
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 12:47 AM
  #7  
98RedBird's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default

Originally Posted by WagnutSS
if the tap wont clean up the threads, then try using Heli coils, they are amazing for that kind of thing, kinda pricey though
What??

I'm hoping I misunderstood you...

HeliCoils and inserts are only used once you've stripped out the threads in the hole.
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 07:21 AM
  #8  
yesaCSpencer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 98RedBird
What??

I'm hoping I misunderstood you...

HeliCoils and inserts are only used once you've stripped out the threads in the hole.
Yea...if i was going to helicoil all of the holes then i would just buy some new heads..

But im going to try the thread chaser within a few days when i get some time
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 07:59 AM
  #9  
WagnutSS's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Kansas & Washington
Default

Originally Posted by 98RedBird
What??

I'm hoping I misunderstood you...

HeliCoils and inserts are only used once you've stripped out the threads in the hole.
well if he allready has aluminum shavings coming back out with the bolt, then when he cleans it up with the tap, the threads might or might not be strong enough to torque down, if thats the case then its time for some heli coils
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 07:28 PM
  #10  
yesaCSpencer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by WagnutSS
well if he allready has aluminum shavings coming back out with the bolt, then when he cleans it up with the tap, the threads might or might not be strong enough to torque down, if thats the case then its time for some heli coils
I only stripped one hole...

I was mostly asking about the other holes that are hard to get bolts into...
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 08:13 PM
  #11  
yesaCSpencer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Default

I cant find an M8x1.25 thread chaser...can anyone point me in the right direction?
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 12:45 AM
  #12  
98RedBird's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CHsQ8wIwCA#

Found that on GoogleShopping...

Or you could get a set... I think Sears sells a set, but it's called "ReThreading Set" or something like that. Or go to SummitRacing.com and type in "Thread Chaser" ARP sells a set too I think.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 07:29 AM
  #13  
yesaCSpencer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Default

^^Thanks, Just ordered one
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2010 | 04:32 PM
  #14  
72Elkytpi's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (47)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: melbourne FL
Default

McMaster Carr has alot of need hard to find stuff too
http://www.mcmaster.com
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2010 | 07:12 PM
  #15  
yesaCSpencer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Default

Ok, i figured out the problem. My bolts had some rust and lok tite and shiz on them so I rethreaded the bolts and cleaned out the holes and its muy fukin bien now.

-Thanks to all that helped
--Casey
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:46 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE