95_Civic_4dr

I damaged the threads in the cam caps for 2 of the bolts. The bolts are good though.
If I used a Tap & Die set on this to re-do the threads, would the bolts be re-usable or would they no longer fit?

Linked

i've always had the impression that a tap n die is only useful when you've crossthreaded the first threads into the hole, unless thats what you have done, then you should be fine

but if you stripped out the threads in the hole, a tap n die wont realign thread that is barely there, i think it'd need to be helicoiled

95_Civic_4dr

Thanks for replying.

Well on one of them as I tighten the bolt it just jumps loose again after a certain point, no pieces of metal have come out so I'm guessing a Tap & Die kit will work on this one?
For the other hole, when I pulled the bolt out a lot of little pieces of the threads came out with it.
Both threads appear to be damaged more towards the bottom but between the oil in the holes and the small space I'm not 100% sure on that.

How does the Helicoil work vs the Tap & Die? I know the T&D will move the threads back into place but a helicoil...is it like a permanent insert or does it just plain out grind new threads?

I could only find the Helicoils online, any ideas what size I need for these bolts?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...word=heli+coil

Any more help and advice is appreciated, this valve cover oil leak is driving me crazy

Eddie 70

In order to use a helicoil, you have to drill the bolt hole bigger. Then you run a tap into the hole, that should come with the kit, and it puts new threads in the material. Once the new threads are in, you can put your helicoil in the new threads. There will be a little tang on the helicoil that you break off. The helicoils are threaded on the inside and outside. Once in place they are now your new threads for you valve cover bolts.

It sounds like you have two stripped threads in your head. A tap will not fix that. You are either going to have to drill a bigger hole and tap that and use a bigger screw to hold the valve cover or helicoil.

95_Civic_4dr

Using just a regular drill bit like something I can get at Home Depot to cut the hole bigger?

My first time dealing with damaged threads, I just wanna make sure I have this right.

lancerswimmer89

does anyone know the thread size on the stock valve cover bolts?

red 95

2 things, if there is oil in the bottom of the hole, you are building pressure in the hole and the bolt will push out from the pressure. Second, if the threads are loose, a tap will not fix it, unless you go to the next bigger size. Are you using the same blots that came out of the holes? Good luck, T

95_Civic_4dr

I don't know the whole technical aspect of bolt sizes, but after searching on here a lot more I finally found what I needed to repair it.
http://www.tooltopia.com/helicoil-5546-6.aspx
That kit worked great, very easy to do, kept same OEM size bolts, and there's no longer any leaking oil.
I do recommend removing the valve train though to do it, metal shavings are gonna be all over the place especially inside the bolt hole even when you are careful. The recommended drill bit size will also be on the back of the kit, 1/4" is what I used.
I also ordered some new bolts from here http://www.hondapartsnow.com/ dealer will probably be cheaper though with the no S&H charge.