Stripped intake manifold bolt help

[Ron Sebastian]

After searching for the leak, I decided to check to see if all the bolts were tight. Found one near the back of the manifold (number 5) just turned and did not tighten. Whoever did the intake work dicked that up. Can I use a helicoil or other type of thread insert without pulling the manifold off?

 

[Big Chip]

Depends on the color of the stripe. Need pics.

 

[Ron Sebastian]

Depends on the color of the stripe. Need pics.

Stripped.

 

[Big Chip]

Ahhh. I still don’t know but I imagine you’ll need to take the manifold off based on my previous experience with helicoils. On the stuff I’ve done, mostly exhaust studs on airplanes, the hole that has to be drilled for the helicoil is bigger than the hole in the exhaust flange.

 

[Scotty D]

Maybe try a new bolt?
Possibly a couple threads longer to get some fresh threads?
Someone may have just grabbed what filled the hole and snugged it to ‘oh ****’ and left it for the next guy.

 

[Scotty D]

Other wise you will have to pull the manifold, drill and tap for a helicoil

 

[bucket]

Maybe try a new bolt?
Possibly a couple threads longer to get some fresh threads?
Someone may have just grabbed what filled the hole and snugged it to ‘oh ****’ and left it for the next guy.

Other wise you will have to pull the manifold, drill and tap for a helicoil

These are my thoughts as well.

 

[Maxgforce]

If it's the very back bolt, helicoil is easy because the hole bottoms out. If it's any of the middle 8 bolts (4 on either side), the threaded hole is bottomless. Helicoil will still work but need to use red threatlock, to prevent the helicoil from unscrewing as you tighten the bolt, (hope that makes sense). Also when tapping, some of the pushrods are right under the threaded hole and can be easily damaged, seen this happen when people use to long of an intake bolt.

 

[Ron Sebastian]

Maybe try a new bolt?
Possibly a couple threads longer to get some fresh threads?
Someone may have just grabbed what filled the hole and snugged it to ‘oh ****’ and left it for the next guy.

That worked!! Longer bolt tightened down nice. Still cannot confirm that it fixed the leak though. Hopeful!

 

[Ron Sebastian]

Scotty D, thank you. You are the man, that did the trick. No more leak. I can't believe I waited so long to address this.

 

[Scotty D]

Glad I could help!