Head Cover Bolts

[smorris1]

I was polishing my engine today and I noticed one of the bolts on the cover that covers the cam and valves was loose. When I go to tighten it, it doesnt tighten, but it doesnt feel stripped. I pulled the screw all the way out and the threads looked fine. I dont know what to do. Should I just put some loc tite on it and screw it back in the best I can or is it ok the way it is?

[REPOMAN]

i think i would investigate why its not tightening. might be the wrong length in there

[smorris1]

I am positive its the right length. Its one of the bolts that is really long and goes to the base of the head. I dont want to have to tear the whole engine apart to find out what the problem is unless its serious and must be done.

[JOEX]

The bolt threads may not be stripped but the threads in the head probably are.

[dariusld]

Those soft aluminium threads have to be treated right, or out they come:(

[smorris1]

Yeah. I had a feeling it was stripped in the head. How would I fix that? Take the head off and re tap it?

[REPOMAN]

when i had some stripped i took them to a local mechanic and he welded up the holes with aluminum and then retapped them and they were good as new

[drew416ex]

I got mine heli coiled. Its a stainless insert and there is more surface area to grap on to. Havnt had a problem since.

[smorris1]

Alright thanks guys for the info. I will prob have that stainless insert added. Was it expensive?

[drew416ex]

You could prob get it done by a machine shop cheaper than buying the kit yourself. I think the kit is around $30, but a machine shop would prob do it for around $10.