Valve cover bolts

[thejester03]

Ok, heres the deal, Ive had my new S13 coupe for about a week, I went to check the valve cover to make sure the bolts were snug, The Middle front bolt snapped clean off, the the two outer front ones are stripped, what do i do?

[orion::S14]

Replace the head.

Seriously.

...

Alternatively, remove the valve cover, and use a tap to make new threads. Bear in mind...the valve cover bolts have a thick shank, and bottom out before fully tightening. So if you can tap them and use new bolts...tightening them will be very tricky. Too tight and they will squish the valve cover gasket and it will leak. Too loose, and you're in the same situation you're in now...

- Brian

[Hikarispeed]

The snapped bolt you can use an easy out to remove it hopefully.

Has anyone helicoiled those tapped holes? Any precautions with that? The head on my car are stripped and noticed the engine i bought used also have stripped threads.