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Just stripped the threads on a rocker arm bolt...

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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 07:34 PM
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Default Just stripped the threads on a rocker arm bolt...

just stripped the intake rocker arm threads on #2...how fucked am i?
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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 07:40 PM
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It can be fixed pretty easy, I have replace all my rocker arm bolt threads with Helicoils, You can get them at any auto parts store. or Homedepot
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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 07:41 PM
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Heli-coil will fix it better then new. How did you do this?
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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
Heli-coil will fix it better then new. How did you do this?
being dumb. i thought i had what sounded like a loose lifter after a friday and proceeded to break a rocker arm bolt off into the head on the exhaust of #2 removing the rocker, had that broken stud removed then went to put it all back together, and stripped the intake rocker threads.

oh and is Heli-coil self straight forward or is there some sort of write up etc to do this? sorry for the noob questions, but its been a long week and i thought i was gonna have this up and running tonight.
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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 09:20 PM
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Basically in the kit you should get a tap and the heli-coil and the insertion tool. You drill the hole to the correct size for the tap (it is not the final thread size but rather the thread for the OD of the hel-coil). Then you tap the hole and then screw in the heli-coil by the little tab. Once in place, you break off the tab and remove it. Should be instructions with the kit. Autozone carries them. Just take it slow, and if you have never done it before practice on something else first.
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Old Jul 26, 2008 | 06:30 AM
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Just exactly as Vettnuts stated. I have two extra things to offer. When drilling the stripped stud hole for the heli-coil tap, you might consider starting with the smallest drill bit that will barely fit into the damaged hole...and then move up in drill bit size increments until you reach the desired size. This will aid you in drilling a perfectly straight hole rather than cocking the drill bit a bit to the side ( I assume you will be doing this with the head still on the car. If not, use a drill press). Secondly, I stacked two helicoils right on top of one another to give me more threads in this critical area. I had to cut the second one a bit short as not to stick proud of the rocker boss deck. They are designed to stack. Good luck!
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Old Jul 26, 2008 | 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by porsche914ls6
Just exactly as Vettnuts stated. I have two extra things to offer. When drilling the stripped stud hole for the heli-coil tap, you might consider starting with the smallest drill bit that will barely fit into the damaged hole...and then move up in drill bit size increments until you reach the desired size. This will aid you in drilling a perfectly straight hole rather than cocking the drill bit a bit to the side ( I assume you will be doing this with the head still on the car. If not, use a drill press). Secondly, I stacked two helicoils right on top of one another to give me more threads in this critical area. I had to cut the second one a bit short as not to stick proud of the rocker boss deck. They are designed to stack. Good luck!
Good input.

Try it first on something else, even a piece of wood if you have to just so you understand what needs to be done as you only get one shot at it, if you have questions post them up. Good luck, hope it comes out OK.
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Old Jul 26, 2008 | 08:47 AM
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8 mm Helicoil inserts come in 8, 12 and 16mm lengths. Use one of the correct length. I'd buy them from McMaster-Carr online.

Here's a link:

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Type in Helicoil and click on "view catalog pages (5)"

Start on page 3200 and find the parts on page 3202.

I would also practice drilling, tapping and installing an insert or two on a scrap piece of aluminum. A bushing to guide the drill would be of a great help. If you know someone with a lathe, a piece of round steel about 1 inch in diameter and about 1-1/2 inch long with a hole thru it the size of the Helicoil tap drill will work. The end of the bushing needs to be square with the hole.

If in doubt about your abilities in this area, seek help from a machininst. If you mess up the Helicoil installation the repair will then becomes very costly and requires removing the head.

Don't overtorque those (or any) bolts. Read and obey the torque spec.


Good luck.


Jon
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Old Jul 26, 2008 | 02:03 PM
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timeserts work great also, I've repaired many modular ford heads after the spark plugs blew out
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 12:08 PM
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just a quick update, my friend drilled, tapped and got the heli coil in and got all the rocker arms back in! heli coil ftmfw
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Old Nov 23, 2011 | 12:31 PM
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Great info...
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Old Nov 23, 2011 | 04:00 PM
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Heli coils are very strong.
You should have now worrys with it in there
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Old Nov 23, 2011 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by lifeisgood
Heli coils are very strong.
You should have now worrys with it in there
You are correct,I just finished and I'm very pleased with the results Helicoil 8mm x 1.25
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 09:26 AM
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will the helicoil work for a exhaust header bolt hole in the head?
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by RezinTexas
will the helicoil work for a exhaust header bolt hole in the head?
yep
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 06:49 AM
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After helicoil repair is the torque setting for the rocker bolt the same? 22 ft/lbs?
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 08:31 AM
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The helicoil is just as strong as the original thread so the torque setting will not change
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 02:05 PM
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I just figured that the torque for going into a steel insert would be less than the aluminum thread.i
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