need help on valve cover

[WunHungLo]

well i took off my valve cover today. when i tried to put it back in, i noticed that 2 of the 11 bolts weren't threading back in. i took off the bolts and the valve cover to discover that my threads on the bolt holes were stripped. is there anything i could do? i tried to test whether or not the bolts would go in and all they did was drop in and out, eliminating the possibility of tapping the holes.
the ones in red are the two that aren't threading back in.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid119/pce2df0672d20a6bd522c024974554f99/f86ca98d.jpg

[mjjstang]

coulnt you tap them w a bigger tap, not too familiar w tap and die shit but id assume you could.

[kandyflip445]

If you did use a bigger tap you would need a bigger bolt also and make sure to get the right length.

[RiceEata]

Use JB weld or something similar...thats what i would do.

[idlafie]

Use JB weld or something similar...thats what i would do.

JB Weld on a valve cover?? :wtf: ...I DON"T THINK SO!!! You'll have a bitch of a time getting the damn thing off next time you have to take it off!!

First see if you can retap out the hole with a metric tap. You'll need to find the appropriate sized tap to do this though. Check your local foreign auto parts store to see if they carry them. Take your valve cover bolts in as a guide. Make sure you don't tap down too far or you may screw up the entire block. If that doesn't work, then get a helicoil kit, drill out the hole a little wider then tap in the correct sided helicoil threads.
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/searchby.asp?txtsearch=Thread+Repair
Once you do that, your valve cover should bolt back up without any problems.
Hope this helps....Good Luck!!
ID

[Chernobyl]

I think what he meant was JBweld the holes a little bit and retap them. Not a bad idea actually.

Don't they have some metal things that you can insert into stripped bolt holes and retap? I can't remember the name right now, but I'm sure they exist.

EDIT: Durr! My bad. Read above post haha, they are called helicoils.

[WunHungLo]

i'm going to try out the helicoil kit. there's a place by me that carries them so i'll give them a try. i'm actually driving around with two of the bolts not in and haven't noticed any oil leaks yet. i'm pretty sure there will be sooner or later though. thanks for all the help though.