to rethread the furthest back rocker bolt hole on cylinder 8 with it in the car without removing the head? It somehow got cross threaded to hell by a lightly screwed in bolt on the valve spring tool... Had it towed to the shop and he says he doesn't think he can do it without removing the head which I don't have the funds to pay for. Just wondering if anyone has had this happen to them and if there is a way to repair the thread without removing the head.

 

I'd remove it. Even if you're careful, I'd be afraid of getting metal shavings into the engine. Plus there is almost no room to work back there.

 

Alright, I guess it's gona have to sit for a while then unfortunately... Was just curious if anyone had a method that would work with the head on.

 

You can't really re-thread or fix threads once they're sheared off or crushed. You'll need to HeliCoil it so the head's gotta come off to get it drilled & tapped straight.

 

Im aware of what needs to be done to repair it, I was just wondering if it was at all possible to do it with the head still in the car.

 

Sometimes the best way is to do the most work, i.e., remove the head. If it gets buggered more trying to fix it in the car then you will be buying a new head too. That's one advantage the Vette has over the f-body, the rear of the engine is very accessible.

 

My advice was based on your first statement that you wanted to re-thread damaged threads. I wanted to make sure you were aware that broken threads can't be brought back to a useable level.

Good luck with the repair, let us know how it goes.

 

Yeah I worded it poorly my mistake. Head will be coming off today.