I replaced my plenum gasket and while taking off the intake the 2 front bolts broke. The passenger side came out with pb blaster and vise grips. The second was a bit worse. It broke inside the threaded hole on the head. I was finally able to get out out but at the cost of making a messed up hole. It's more of an oval now. Can I fill that part of the head with jb weld and then drill and tap it? I just need something to last for a few months maybe 600 miles tops. I don't really want to pull the head off right now cause I will be getting a new set in the fall. Will this work or do you all suggest something different? Thanks.

 

it might world, i mean its already messed up so give it a shot man. if not, just dont worry about that bolt, you may have a slight vacuum leak due to it, but it shouldnt be significant

 

That bolt is also by the coolant port. I don't want a coolant leak either. I was thinking the same thing, it's already messed up. Why not. Just wanted to see if anyone else has had the same problem or knew of a better way.

 

considering how little the intake bolts are torqued down to, jb weld sound very appropriate. use silicone liberally around that water jacket as well to reduce the likelyhood of leaks in that area. if 600 miles is all you will need out of it, then it shouldn't be a problem. those intake bolts tend to lose their grip over time anyhow so even if the jb & silicone Give a little slack, it wouldn't be any worse then what naturally occurs with time.

 

oh yeah, just imagine what a mechanic would do... use your imagination for what some underpaid underqualified underling of a shop would figure on how to cover it up; Ughh, scary thoughts.

 

yes it will work fine.

clean the enlarged hole out with brake cleaner, blow it out with air. get it squeaky clean.
fill it with jbweld and let it thoroughly cure.
temporarily place the intake in position. with gasket. start all bolts. mark the position of your new hole.
remove intake and mask off head, valley, etc to prevent chips and dirt.
drill and tap your new hole. be SURE the angle is correct.

option - you can save a little time by inserting an undersized wooden dowel rod into the jbweld while its still wet, then drill it out later. be sure the angle is correct and that it stays in place while curing. jbweld tends to run and sag for the first couple of hours. i'd set this with intake in place to judge the angle.

it'll last forever.

 

Thanks everyone. I think that is the route I'm going to take. Before putting in the jb weld should I try to drill it again to make it an actual circle our can I just leave it?

 

Bad stuff..

I've tried jbweld before.. it works for a while, but eventually fails if load bearing. You will need more than 2/3s of the threads intact for epoxies to work. If time is important, try KwikWeld. Its not as strong as jbweld, but its completely cured in 6hrs. You'll want to run a thread chaser or tap afterwards, epoxy in the threads interferes with torque

 

http://www.helicoil.in/

 

If it's on the front, the intake bolts stick thru the holes a ways... Just put a nut on the end.