Head striped out from header bolt...help!
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 736
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From: Chattanooga,TN
Head striped out from header bolt...help! I replaced my header gaskets because I couldn't get rid of the header leak. When I tried to tighten the last bolt it went in more than half way and then got a little tight but was still moving. Then with about 1/16" left to go it stops. I backed it out cleaned out the hole and tried it again same thing. I cleaned it again this time the bolt strips out the head 
. It really seems as if my car is evil and it fight me with every mod. What can I do to fix it without removing the head?
. It really seems as if my car is evil and it fight me with every mod. What can I do to fix it without removing the head? 
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
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From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Did you pull out metal on the bolt threads?
You can try a bottom tap and chase the threads.
If that does not work, you may have to drill it larger and use a helicoil or similar. Obviously, if it's a hard to get to hole you will have to pull the head if you can't get a straight shot at it.
FWIW, on my header install I had 2 stock bolts that would not run all the way in. I had a set of slightly shorter bolts that came with the pacesetters , I ended up using two of those.
You can try a bottom tap and chase the threads.
If that does not work, you may have to drill it larger and use a helicoil or similar. Obviously, if it's a hard to get to hole you will have to pull the head if you can't get a straight shot at it.
FWIW, on my header install I had 2 stock bolts that would not run all the way in. I had a set of slightly shorter bolts that came with the pacesetters , I ended up using two of those.
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
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From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
#8? That really sucks. There may well be some kind of right angle drill that will get to it, and you could fix it.
Likely you will end up pullin the head though, sorry to say.
Any semi-competent machine shop can install a helicoil, once the head is pulled.
Likely you will end up pullin the head though, sorry to say.
Any semi-competent machine shop can install a helicoil, once the head is pulled.
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