I have a 1980 4x4 with a 1981 22r. I had a bad exhaust leak and went to replace the gaskets. The previous owner of the truck decided to only use 3 bolts to fasten the exhaust manifold instead of the 9 you are supposed to use. On top of that he used 3/8 bolts instead of metric so now the threads are ruined. Anyway i was wondering how difficult it might be to make the holes bigger and re tap them. or if there is any other option. thanks

 

use a helicoil. Simpily put, you drill out the old threads, tap with a special tap they include, thread in an insert, then put your new bolt in. Better than new? I just bought a M10x1.5 set for $65 cdn. It included the special tap, 12 inserts, the insert threader and clear instructions on how to use it. You supply the drill and bit.

Make sure you oil the tap a few times while cutting or the aluminum will clog the bit and wreck your newly cut threads.

 

^^^this^^^

 

Heli-coil is just one of several thread inserts i think they may have been the first.

Just so you know the proper size for those holes is M10 x1.25

I really don`t know if I would want to repair that many holes without taking the head off.

 

thanks guys ill tell you how it goes when i get a chance to put a header on. Someone told me when i do a helicoil i should throw studs in there instead of useing bolts so i dont have to deal with the freezing issue.

 

I havn't heard of issues with "freezing" A bit of anti sieze and I figure I'm good to go.

I had issues finding 10x1.25 helicoil packs and the bolts to go with it. I just used 10x1.5 as I could get those in town. All the old threads are drilled out and your starting from new anyways.

 

Being your in the Wilds of Canada I could see you have a problem getting anything .

I had no problem getting the right size the price one has to pay leaving only 100 miles from the rotten apple:wabbit2: