Forum

[John R]

To be clear, I'M talking about the rocker covers rather than the Samrats.

[Les H]

With the stripped thread at 6 and 12 o’clock, it would seem accessibility will rule out re threading the holes. If you don't want to remove the head, then I would use a metal epoxy filled resin such as “JB Weld”. The 2 pack resin is much harder and stronger than aluminium and if some remains of the thread in the heads remain this is a perfect key for the resin to bind to and obviously the studs are threaded too. It will be a simply job but let it harden for at least 48 hours and tighten the nuts to the recommended torque, as if you pull the suds out again by over tightening you could hardly blame the strength of the resin as you have already over stressed the alloy by over tightening, so you must blame yourself. To some this might seem a bodge, but I think it can be seen as a sensible strong repair, possibly stronger than the original tapped hole. Come the time you take the head off, the studs will be able to be unscrewed and the resin drilled out and a Helicoil fitted as normal should you feel that it is necessary, but my guess is that you would not feel the need to.

[Les H]

CORRECTION: "if some remains of the OLD threadS STILL EXIST IN THE STUD HOLES this is a perfect key for the resin to bind to ETC ETC"

[John R]

Thanks Les, my next question was actually about using Araldite, but JB Weld seems like a good idea. As you say, I am sure the head will come off some day, then I can do a proper job if I wish.

[Les H]

Hi John. Make sure you don't buy the "Rapid" version of JB weld as it is not as strong as the normal slow cure product but pretty good none the less.