Repairing a stripped manifold bolt hole - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukecp · 01-05-2004, 12:15 AM

One of the exhaust manifold bolt holes is stripped on my truck. Because of that, i keep blowing exhaust gaskets right there (i have headers and have been using manifold gaskets).
The bolt will get fairly tight, then slip if i try to tighten it anymore.

Not only is it annoying to lisetn to the exhaust leak, but i think i may be getting a small amount of exhuast leaking into the cab...defenitly not a good thing.

So, what would be the easiest way to repair this? I'm thinking Heli-Coil maybe?

It looks like that if i drop out the inner fender i can get a straight shot at the hole with a drill.....or is this something i will have to use a drill press for? I really don't want to yank the head......right now i don't have the time to do it, and a shop to work in, and a head removal in the middle of January would defenitly be a huge PITA.

It also looks like i might be able to get away with running a larger sized bolt in the hole, if i use a small spacer (about 1") to place the bolt head farther away from the header tube so it would be able to thread in without hitting.

Any help is greatly appreciated

*rage'nrat638* · 01-05-2004, 12:19 AM

HELI-COIL

69_hafton · 01-05-2004, 12:40 AM

I second the heli-coil. If that fails, you can go to drilling
and tapping and using the next size bolt.

70short/step · 01-05-2004, 12:45 AM

Before you try the helicoil this might work. Try usin a longer bolt, it may go past the bad treads. If Not try a shorter one, might tighten enough before it hits the bad treads. Good Luck!

**BOSS** · 01-05-2004, 12:47 AM

Heli-Coil

cableguy0 · 01-05-2004, 01:30 AM

just heli coil it and be done with it. just make sure you drill true and straight otherwise you will never get the bolt started through the header flange

veltex · 01-05-2004, 01:32 AM

Heli-coil, I recently stripped one of the head bolt holes in my block, it was one of the ones that has the recess for the head locator sleeve/pin, heli-coil in perfectly square held 75 lbs of torque!

Kas68c10 · 01-05-2004, 04:11 PM

Try the diffrerent sized bolts first, it worked for me, it wont take much time and if it doesnt hold, then helicoil in the summer.

Blue Beard · 01-06-2004, 12:13 AM

Your right on removing the inner fender well to gain access. Remove the wheel as well to give yourself plently of room to work.

Be sure to support the truck good..........

01-05-2004, 12:15 AM	#1
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Repairing a stripped manifold bolt hole One of the exhaust manifold bolt holes is stripped on my truck. Because of that, i keep blowing exhaust gaskets right there (i have headers and have been using manifold gaskets). The bolt will get fairly tight, then slip if i try to tighten it anymore. Not only is it annoying to lisetn to the exhaust leak, but i think i may be getting a small amount of exhuast leaking into the cab...defenitly not a good thing. So, what would be the easiest way to repair this? I'm thinking Heli-Coil maybe? It looks like that if i drop out the inner fender i can get a straight shot at the hole with a drill.....or is this something i will have to use a drill press for? I really don't want to yank the head......right now i don't have the time to do it, and a shop to work in, and a head removal in the middle of January would defenitly be a huge PITA. It also looks like i might be able to get away with running a larger sized bolt in the hole, if i use a small spacer (about 1") to place the bolt head farther away from the header tube so it would be able to thread in without hitting. Any help is greatly appreciated __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

01-05-2004, 12:40 AM	#3
69_hafton Sleep-Deprived Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 445	I second the heli-coil. If that fails, you can go to drilling and tapping and using the next size bolt. __________________ 1971 K/10 Long Fleetside 350/350 - 6" Lift 1969 C/10 SWB 292 - Sold It

01-05-2004, 12:47 AM	#5
BOSS Just here to help Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Norwood,Mo Posts: 3,890	Heli-Coil __________________ Support our site Norwood Survivor

01-05-2004, 01:30 AM	#6
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	just heli coil it and be done with it. just make sure you drill true and straight otherwise you will never get the bolt started through the header flange __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

01-05-2004, 04:11 PM	#8
Kas68c10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Freeland,Michigan,USA Posts: 312	Try the diffrerent sized bolts first, it worked for me, it wont take much time and if it doesnt hold, then helicoil in the summer. __________________ 1968 SWB Stepside, 250,pwr disc brake and tilt pwr steering, 5 spd tranny, HEI,Accel coil,K&N filter,Seat from a later truck with built in seatbelts, front and rear sway bars, moved gas tank to under the bed, headman hedders, new chrome bumpers,one wire alternator,Weber k550cub carburator...WORK IN PROGRESS, Freeland MI , Just bought a 72 Jimmy!!!!!!!!!!!

01-05-2004, 12:19 AM	#2
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	HELI-COIL

01-05-2004, 12:45 AM	#4
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	Before you try the helicoil this might work. Try usin a longer bolt, it may go past the bad treads. If Not try a shorter one, might tighten enough before it hits the bad treads. Good Luck!

01-05-2004, 01:32 AM	#7
veltex Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Idaho Posts: 257	Heli-coil, I recently stripped one of the head bolt holes in my block, it was one of the ones that has the recess for the head locator sleeve/pin, heli-coil in perfectly square held 75 lbs of torque!

01-06-2004, 12:13 AM	#9
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Your right on removing the inner fender well to gain access. Remove the wheel as well to give yourself plently of room to work. Be sure to support the truck good.......... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo



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