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Xj550 Thread Repair Heads

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Carfan0178, Jul 10, 2013.

  1. Carfan0178

    Carfan0178 New Member

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    I was recently replacing my valve cover gasket on my 81' xj550 and the bolt seals when one of the valve bolts on the right side stopped going in half way down. I fear that I may have stripped out the threads. Has anybody tried using a helicoil to repair the threads? I have never used helicoil before and I'm afraid there isn't enough material to replace that thread.
     
    Carfan0178, Jul 10, 2013
    #1
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Those bolts have stop collars that limit how far they tighten.

    Those very same stop collars are why overtightning a valve cover bolt rips the threads right out of the alloy.

    My '81 550 came to me with all 4 holes on one side of the head heli-coiled.
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 10, 2013
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  3. Rick_King

    Rick_King Member

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    I had to helicoil the front left-most one on my 550, a result of fighting with the valve shim tool one too many times. Putting it in wasn't bad at all, but I was glad it was an outside one. And now I use the zip tie method instead of that stupid tool.
     
    Rick_King, Jul 10, 2013
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