FiveSeventyZee Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 The threads for the valve cover bolts in my KAe head are getting stripped. Right now I have 2 stripped and 1-2 that don't feel very good. It's not that I have them too tight either because I tightened them due to a leak coming from the valve cover gasket. my question is what are my options? can I put in helicoils or threaded inserts or something? any way of saving these without pulling the head? Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Helicoils or time sert fittings will work fine. Just remove the valve cover get some masking tape and plastic to cover everything but the valve cover mounting holes. install the inserts. Removed shavings with a shop vac and compressed air. Quote Link to comment
FiveSeventyZee Posted September 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 masking sounds like a good idea. Thats why I was worried about pulling the head, didnt want to get metal filings in my cylinders. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Drill the holes out to a larger size and tap them for a larger bolt. . Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Drill the holes out to a larger size and tap them for a larger bolt. . This is an option as well. I like to think once the inserts are installed.. the holes will be stronger than ever. But yes, there are multiple options. Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 It's not that I have them too tight either because I tightened them due to a leak coming from the valve cover gasket.They should be torqued to the proper amount. You probably are over tightening them trying to stop a leak and probably just need to get a new gasket. Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 They should be torqued to the proper amount. You probably are over tightening them trying to stop a leak and probably just need to get a new gasket. That's what I was thinking. There are torque specs for these.. Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Torque amounts are the same for the DE, but I don't know the tightening pattern, and note that those final numbers are in inch-pounds, not foot-pounds, ie ~5ft-lbs - ~8ft-lbs (really should be using an inch-pounds wrench for accuracy). 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 The middle one is 12,1 because you are supposed to re-torque it after. 1 Quote Link to comment
FiveSeventyZee Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Thanks guys. It was a new gasket thats why I thought it should seal, but it was a chinese made gasket so I think I just went too cheap on it and now I'm paying the price. Thanks guys I'll probably use inserts to fix it rather than tapping for a larger bolt and I'll be following the torque specs from now on, didn't realize the valve cover had torque specs :blush: Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Nice tech Matt :cool: Quote Link to comment
Dawa Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 yeah time serts are the best bet. i had to time sert a stripped valve cover bolt hole on my l16. Quote Link to comment
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