Today we began assembling my fresh 84 MM LS/VTEC motor. Everything was going smooth, we had the block on the engine stand, with the water pump, oil pump, tensioner, etc. ready to go. Now we put the headbolts in (AEBS). Once done we placed the head onto the block. Now comes time to torque down the head. Well one of the bolts would'nt torque down. Being that its a 93 LS block form a junkyard, someone must have stripped it out long long ago. Now how exactly it happened is neither here nor there. I need to fix this problem.
I took the block to a local machine shop where I had hoped they would peform an emergency Heli-coil implant. Yes the dreaded heli-coil. Hey I have no other choice. Atleast I figure that if this does not work then I can always order one individual head bolt oversized right?? Help me if Im wrong.
Now I know that if a heli coil is not done right than it can mean one hot temp. block. I mean overheating galore. But I figure that if I let a good Engine rebuilding shop do I should be alright. Let me know what you guys think.

I don't see why it would cause overheating, or any problems at all for that matter. Helicoil will likely be even stronger than the original thread IMO.

Here check this site out. These bolts are much better then heli coil and also better then stock holes.

http://www.locknstitch.com/inserts.htm

damn just reading the subject title I knew it was gonna have something to do with stripped threads. good luck with the build, hope everything works out.

maybe just go 1/2" on all the head studs... if u have the extra $$ that is....

By going 1/2" do you mean going oversized head bolts for that one thread pattern??

you need to have the hole fitted with a time-sert, do a search and you will find all of the info you need.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by boostismycrack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you need to have the hole fitted with a time-sert, do a search and you will find all of the info you need.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Yeah, a local shop here does each hole for like 30 bucks. Thats not even the worst thing that can happen... Get it fixed and it will be fine. Dont waste time with 1/2inch head studs as that would be a pain since you would have to drill out the cycl. and head gasket as well for the studs to fit through.

can you find out what size it is and tap it..

then call ARP to see if any of their studs work

Time serts are actually more strong then stock metal. They use them on all the NASA stuff because of fear of regular threads striping.

Timeserts make helicoils seem like a joke!!

I have replaced numerous helicoils which ended up stripping out with timserts and have not had a problem since.

What do these time inserts sell for. (each)

I've been there twice last year. I should've just got it helicoiled but i bought a different block.

same thing happened to me... look at my link... I took some pics of what I did... and it worked great !!!

http://www.tracracing.com/isrc...=4463

look at the last pic.... this is the piece you need to get done by a good machinist... after that you tap in the block and you got and brand new thread ! ...

helicoils are ****. They come out all the time. I had a head helicoiled for a van. 3 of the 4 came out. 2 came out just tightening the damn bolts in.

Well im hearing so many mixed feelings about this topic. I'll rest the blocks fate in the hands of the machinist. Thanks for the help and info. Let you know how it comes out.

timesert you might aswell do all the head bolts well your at it just so you dont have any problems.