how do i re thread a head/valve cover bolt hole

[chargercalvin]

a stupid machanic friend of mine was tinkering with my valve covers and stripped a bolt hole in the head. i tried a tap but it just stripped the cheap tap. the bolt stops halfway down than just keeps turning the thread bellow it is ok. do i need to drill it a put a sleeve or is thare an easier way. i cant go around without a bolt and have oil leaking all over the place and smoking.
calvin

[DBR/T]

Assuming there's not still part of a bolt left in the hole, you might try a longer bolt so that it can reach the "good threads" in the bottom of the hole.  If that doesn't work you'll probably have to get a heli-coil kit and repair the hole that way.

[chargercalvin]

a longer bolt wouldnt work becouse only half of the bolt gets in the hole till it gets to the stripped part. i checked and thare is no part of the bolt stuck in the hole

calvin

[Runner]

the valve cover bolt holes on mopar heads just plain suck imo.   id helicoil it but be really carful as sometimes theres not alot of meat in the casting around the holes.    this is why i like to put arp valve cover studs in the heads, and use a 12 point nute if im using cast aluminum valve covers. the arp studs are way better than any other brand that ive seen.   

[Steve P.]

Heli-coil and do it with the valve cover ON so you don't drop any chips inside the motor...

[firefighter3931]

The easy fix is to simply use a stud in the bad hole and use red loctite to hold it in place. 


Ron