Manifold bolts striped!

[dally41888]

my manifold bolts are most likely striped and i dont really know why. i heard the exhaust getting a little louder and i tightened them one time and they were actually loose. i realizied the next time that they were striped and the worst one i drilland and tapped bigger but there are only one or two more but they are hard to reach with a big drill. any suggestions? thanks.

[rj998]

I have a similar issue.. I have a 92 3.0 3vz, and lo and behold got it for free with blown head gaskets.. one exhaust manifold bolt stripped during reassembly.. it's mostly ok, but now in the colder days with windows up, I can hear it. it is starting to drive me nuts acutually. I have a heli-coil kit for it, and a dewalt right-angle drill, I think I can get to it with a shortened bit.

Is is fool hardy to think I can try using a t-handle on the bit and drill out the old threads by hand? it's an aluminum head of course, and it's not a fresh hole, just the threads that are there.. any thoughts?

[dally41888]

if you are going to tap it out once drilled it is best to do it with the t handle and i used one on mine the one on the top because there were two that were striped and it worked fine but there is no room for the drill on the bottom one i guess i need a riht angle drill... but yeh i would just use the t handle if you can

[rj998]

I saw a decent t-handle at lowes for $6, I think it is worth a shot. they say to use kerosene on the threads when using the tap, and backing out every 1/4 turn or so, to let the cut metal out.. I'm going to try with a t-handle and a drill bit and the same approach. The key is to see if I can do it and get the heli-coil in there without taking the manifold off.

good luck with yours.

[bobad]

rj988,

Beware of the wobbling T handle. It's almost impossible to hold it straight while turning it. Your hole will surely be bell-mouthed, egg-shaped, and oversized unless you take some kind of measure to keep the bit from wobbling.

Best of luck,,,

[dally41888]

true... good call. thanks for the advice

[82toyo]

I had the same problem and I just bought a longer bolt and was able to tighten it down. You might want to check and see if you could do that.

[rj998]

bobad, thanks for the warning.

Does anyone know if the studs are M10x1.25 or M10x1.5? I think they're x1.5, the coarser thread. Trying to order the right helicoil kit.


thanks,

rj998

[dally41888]

i also tried that because i have can of old bolts and found one that matched the threads and was longer and it didnt work, it was just too stripped to grab. im not sure of the exact size either. i also just got a new gasket too b/c when i first start up it was leaking then went away once warm so the gasket should fix it. once i have it off to replace it tho i can tap out the other bolts that are stripped, i think its only one, for some reason it was the corner ones that stripped not any of the middle ones...wierd