Help Striped head bolt

[300EXrider356]

Allright, well I was at a practice the otherday, and when I got back to camp, and one of my head bolts had vanished, it is on the left side of the engine, in the middle, I believe there is only 3. Anyways I think that it stripped the inside and rattled loose. There was oil coming out of that side but not like pouring out but quite a bit. What do I do?

Thanks
Mike

[GPracer2500]

I'm not sure what bolt you're refering to. Is it a valve cover bolt?

[300EXrider356]

Yes its a valve cover bolt.

[GPracer2500]

Well, if the threads in the head are stripped out than you'll need to repair those threads. That will involve removing the valve cover, tapping the stripped hole, and inserting thread repair insert. Heli-Coils are the most common type of insert (they come in a kit you buy at a hardware store) and will be more than strong enough for that application. The kit will include instructions, a tap, the inserts, and a tool for installing the insert.

BTW, those valve cover bolts only call for 9 ft-lbs of torque--that's not very much. The larger bolt in the middle (it's the one that's bigger than all the rest) takes 20 ft-lbs.

Good luck!

[300EXrider356]

Thanks alot man! I'm gonna go do that in the morning.

Mikel

[GPracer2500]

Don't forget to re-adjust your valve clearances after reinstalling the valve cover. Removing and reinstalling the valve cover can change the clearances.

[Waynes400ex]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I have the same problem. The bolt just sits in the valve cover and wont tighten, but the valve cover gasket hasnt leaked until now (2 years) anways what size are the helicoils? Are they a 6mmx1 or a 6mmx1.25 ? Thanks for the help. Oh yeah and this can be done without removing the head or the cylinder right? Cause the bolt that is stripped on mine going down threw the head and the cylinder. Here is a pic and thanks for the help!!!

[300EXrider356]

For mine, thats what it did. It didnt look like the bolt was stripped, but I went and got a new one anyways. I put it in and it works perfectly like new, Id get a new bolt and try that befor heli coiling it just to make sure.

Mike

[Waynes400ex]

Thanks for the advice, but unfortunatley the hole is stripped out. I had a manual on my computer, but my hard drive crashed and it is gone now. So that is why I need the size of the bolt, service honda list it as a 6x118 which I assume 6is 6mm and 118 is the length. But I dont know the thread pitch.

[GPracer2500]

Thread pitch is 1.00.

[Waynes400ex]

I thought so. Thanks a million.