Head Gasket mishap, need opinion

[Ackattack]

I'm working on my tbi 350 after a blown head gasket. I chased all of the threads in the block and put on the new head gasket. I set on the head and started putting in the new head bolts. I get through the first two torque passes and on the third pass, one of the bolts starts spinning. Basically I stripped the threads in the block some how.

So I figure my only option is to helicoil the block.

My question is, do I need a new head gasket? I don't know if it being torqued down will effect it sealing up once I get the threads fixed.

[hayhauler71]

I would replace the head gasket it is not worth doing the job another time.

[PanelDeland]

I agree^^

I will ask,did you use a tap to chase the threads?The reason I bring it up is that a tap will recut the threads when used to clean them.It isn't much of a cut(usually) but it can be enough to weaken the threads.A thread cleaner is a much better tool to use.They look like a tap with only 2 flutes and generally wont cut the threads.

[mud.man.rj]

How is the bolt threads, maybe bolt is screwed up. The head gasket will be fine no heat cycle yet. But sounds like a Helicoil is in order, no fun.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

I agree^^

I will ask,did you use a tap to chase the threads?The reason I bring it up is that a tap will recut the threads when used to clean them.It isn't much of a cut(usually) but it can be enough to weaken the threads.A thread cleaner is a much better tool to use.They look like a tap with only 2 flutes and generally wont cut the threads.

Yeah, it was a tap, never knew there was a difference. I'm kinda wondering if maybe this was already helicoiled before. When I was chasing the thread one bolt hold in each side of the block was much more difficult than the rest (which means I may have the same issue on the other side.

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

I'm working on my tbi 350 after a blown head gasket. I chased all of the threads in the block and put on the new head gasket. I set on the head and started putting in the new head bolts. I get through the first two torque passes and on the third pass, one of the bolts starts spinning. Basically I stripped the threads in the block some how.

So I figure my only option is to helicoil the block.

My question is, do I need a new head gasket? I don't know if it being torqued down will effect it sealing up once I get the threads fixed.

i ran into the same problem on my wife's 67 while building the motor (350) the last outer bolt stripped on me i helicoiled it and reused the gasket no problems out of it.

[Meatman]

Man I think that truck hates you. I would agree it would probably be best to just buy another head gasket. Sure enough the sob would leak again on ya.