ours were about 1/2 inch deep. I drilled, tapped, and put the insert all the way in til it was flush with the outside. Did not use locktite on studs

 

Just read this thread and I am having the same problem. The rear two bolts are stripped, question, will I need to pull the head/motor to do this or can I just take the exhaust manifold off?

 

Well, mileage is a deciding factor in this unfortunate event of exhaust stud issues.

Jimbo, if your truck is about to 'blow up' and you need to do the timing, take the head off, have it reconditioned (the machine shop will re tap or chase your threads in your head) then just get some new head bolts and exhaust stud bolts. Then you can kill 2 birds with one stone...timing and head.

Again, mileage being a deciding factor, if you have low miles, then I would look into the helicoil treatment, or even re tapping the threads yourself. Definitely at least 5 hours in this project to re tap a broken stud (and many extra drill bits)

If your engine has head issues, or other top end problems, this would be a good time to have the head reconditioned and take care of all the bolt thread issues the proper way, not the bandaid method way.

If you have another car, or have the time to go the top end refreshment path, I recommend doing so. Just IMO...then your yota will be ready for another 100k

 

Just realized this thread is 5 years old lol Im guessing all of you have solved your issues by now haha

 

you can take the exhaust manifold off. my vote is for complete inserts over helicoils though.