Hey everyone,

So went to install my cam on my 22re head that I just got back from the shop, had a valve job done blah blah. Anyway, the cam cap bolt stripped the threads out....... and yes I know those are supposed to be 14 ft lbs BUT after I talked to Jim at 22RE Performance he told me about how low torque specs arent even worth it to try and hit with a torque wrench because its just not accurate and the best thing to do is to just snug them up and call it a day. So I hopped online and did some research to find that some people have also had this problem and that was reassuring to hear. Everyone says helicoil or timesert, I went with helicoil because it's cheaper and that was what was readily available. However, I never saw anything on how to remove the dowel to get into that hole... The 21/64 drill will clear it but the tap will not. And I know the method of using a drill shank to fill the space in the dowel so you can grab onto it with pliers without crushing it. My only issue is there is really not much of the dowel sticking out to grab onto so I am having a hard time figuring out how to remove it without causing damage. Has anyone done this?? I don't know how I feel about putting in a longer bolt but I guess that is an option. If anyone has advice please let me know. Thanks !!!