Recently had high pitched sound which turned into blown exhaust sound, looked on ace answers and thought it was cracked manifold, took floor up etc and found it was the gasket that was blown, thought "great not so bad" on removing manifold found real problem was top right thread in head was stripped. I've read one example of this and the answer was to get it helicoiled, is this something I could do myself or have I got to find a garage to do this for me and is it expensive? Cheers Jorge...
- (#1415) Jorge Seabrook, 18 May 05 15:51
Many garages can do it- especially motorcycles dealers.
Now, you might find that the manifold is warped and that either this has pulled the bolt out or someone has overtightened it to compensate. Either way, check the manifold out and expect it to need surface-ground.
- (#1415) David Miller, 18 May 05 16:53
Hi Jorge
I have found that a steel insert is best for ally heads and Dave is right that most motorcycle workshops have that facility as I work in a motorcycle shop.
The big problem is that they don't like working on cars/vans etc. But usually someone in the workshop might help you if you can get to talk to one of the mechanics.
The other thing is I have found that if you put a genuine original equipment gasket they seem to seal better as I had a pattern one leak.
Best of luck René
- (#1415) Rene Medcraft (Rhondda), 18 May 05 17:06
Thanks for the advice, does anybody know if the 14mm bolts are metric threads or not, ie the heads fit a 14mm socket but does that mean the threads are 14mm metric coarse/fine etc. Thanks
Jorge...
- (#1415) Jorge Seabrook, 18 May 05 20:02
Yes, on a Japanese vehicle, 14mm is an M10 fine thread
- (#1415) David Miller, 19 May 05 00:01
Jorge. I had the same problem when re-installing the manifold but, you must check it for flatness, as David advises, and file or skim to bring it back to a suitable finish. A helicoil insert is an answer but, unless the head is removed, or you can hire the tool, there is a lot of incovenience when trying to get this done. I drilled the stud hole, slightly oversize,re-tapped and inserted a bolt when re-installing the manifold. Although there are torque settings for the nuts/studs, they don't have to be that tight, especislly when the manifold face is flat and a new gasket is fitted. I cannot remember the size of the bolt/thread but, something slightly over the diameter of an M10 will do. Also, it might mean opening the manifold drilling slightly.
- (#1415) John Davis (Leics), 19 May 05 03:05
Hi when i worked on my sons t/ace i found 3 stripped manifold studs which was allowing the manifold to blow,got round the problem by putting longer bolts (not studs)in(measure the depth of the stud holes in the block)you might have to put awasher or two under the bolt head but it is now 6 months since i did it with no problems up to now
- (#1415) John Jebb, 19 May 05 16:35
Thanks for the prompt replies, one more question though is the 10mm metric fine bolt a 1mm pitch or 1.25mmm pitch, both seem to be considered metric fine in searches I've done for parts etc.
Thanks again
Jorge
- (#1415) Jorge Seabrook, 21 May 05 05:53
1.25 according to the torque figures in the service manual.
1mm would be (a very unusual) metric fine for M8...
- (#1415) David Miller, 21 May 05 07:59