Hello,

I am currently putting my motor back together. Everything waqs going smoothly when one of the Cam Cover bolts, (the cover that sits behind the timing gear that bolts to the cam shaft) decided to take all the threads out when I went to torque it down to 18 ft/lbs.

Should I: [I know option A is the book way of doing it]

A: drill and re-tap that hole [I do not have the tools to do it or a truck to transport the motor to a machine shop]

B: put a ton of thread lock into that hole and hope it doesn't walk out into the timing gear. (bolt does thread in but does not tighten)

C: leave it out, there are 3 other bolts tighten down to spec with lock tite on them, you should be fine with the other 3 bolts

D: LS1's stink, sell the car and buy a mustang

I am open to other options.

Thanks
Tilly

 

should have just made a poll thread. I would retap it.

 

Option E. Install a heli-coil. Your other options won't work.


Is the hole blind? This is easy to do, but if it is the open hole (I think there was one) it will be more difficult because of chips but not impossible.

 

Heli-coil it.

 

+ 1 for the Heli-Coil


Its a very easy to install the Heli-Coil!

 

Revised my prior post as I meant to say one of the four holes opens into the block, from what I remember. That hole will require some special precautions. I thin the other three are blind holes.

 

THe bolt that stripped is the center top bolt on the cover.

 

+1 on the heli-coil

Just a little piece of advice, DON'T DROP A BOLT IN THE OIL PAN!!!

I left the motor in the car during my head/cam install and it took me a week to get it out.

 

I'm getting ready to helicoil a bolt hole on my oilpan. i called Autozone and they rent the kits. Just need to know what metric-size bolt your going to do. I'm fretting it but is the best thing to do. Atleast you have room to work with as I will not

 

i say heli-coil and red loc-tite, i would also use plenty of rags and put some glue around drill bit and the area you will be drilling to catch as much shaving as possible and take your time be careful not to drill too deep.

 

Red loctite may strip out the heli-coil if ever removed again.

 

another vote on the helicoil. I would definitely not take a chance with that bolt at all

 

Use grease insead of glue to catch your shavings..

 

Yeah, grease is a good idea to catch the shavings. Glue, not so much.