so i had to adjust my valves today and when i was tightening my valve covers back on i managed to strip the threads actually inside the head.....I don't even know how I did this...I wasn't even tightening them very much .......is there anything i can do short of buying new heads ?

Probably the easiest thing to do would be to drill them out and retap the threads one size bigger. Then just use a bigger bolt down in it.

Rob

If there is enough space to do so, drill out to the proper size , tap and install a heli-coil thread insert which will allow you to put the original size fastener................or weld a threaded stud in the hole and fasten the cover with a nut.

WHy not use screw extractors? Everyone should have a set of these anyway. Just carefully start drilling a small hole in the stripped post and then use the extractor in your drill. It should back it right out.

it's an ARP bolt actually...it didn't break .....the threads inside the actual thread is what broke...so just tap threads one size bigger and get a new bolt ?

Both drilling and tapping and helicoil will work. However, I usually try a self-tapping screw before breaking out the drill or helicoil. Take the original bolt or screw to a good hardware store and buy the next larger size self-tapping screw or bolt. I sometimes get the next size metric if the original is an SAE size or vice versa. Take care installing it - do not apply enough pressure to break it off. You might screw it into the hole a couple of turns, back it out, then screw it in a couple more turns, back it out, etc, etc. If you elect to do this before installing the valve covers, be sure to put a shop rag in place to catch any metal particles that might fall into the engine otherwise.

thnx for the advice guys ....i'm gonna take care of this tommorow.....

i think the best way would be to use the helicoil, all the other ways you might run into more problems. using a bigger bolt, it might not fit through the hole in your valve cover and gasket, using a self taping skrew, it would be easy to strip it out again.

You are working with cast iron and on the of a edge. My bet is your going to break out the side of the head, Don't use self taping bolts in cast.
can you get a hold of any threads deeper in, or tap it deeper and use a stud instead. If not do like they said and heli-coil it.
Pat

Here's a thought... it doesn't require much pressure to hold the valve cover in place, just enough really to provide a seal with the gasket. So, why not forget about that one particular hole and make a long strip of metal that will bolt down to a good hole and extend over the bad one. Better yet, one that will extend to two studs with the missing one in the center? I'm afraid I'm not being very clear but I can make a sketch if you want.

This may provide at least a temporary fix until you find a safe way to a fix.

re-threaded it very very carefully......there is actually quite a bite of space around the hole so i wasn't to worried....turned out great