help

I took the headers off today to put on a jcwhitney exhaust and when I was putting the headers back on I realized that two of the head studs that hold the headers are stripped.

Is there any way that I can pull them out and just use a bolt that size or what should i do? The PO had just nuts on them so I am assuming this problem has occured on this bike before...

 

Be extremely careful not to break the studs off. I would only trust this job to a professional. Get ahold of a machine shop and talk to them before you do anything.

MN

 

If it were me Id take a shot at rethreading it some how.

This is the type tool you can use.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog


size will be up to you

 

Hey blk99gtp (Pontiac owner I assume)
The studs on your bike should be threaded at both ends I believe and the flange is held on with a nut, may be similar to the way my Maxim-X is held on:

If the outer thread (beyond the flange) is stripped then you may be able to re-cut the threads like BillB suggests, though if they are really bad you may have to cut them one size smaller and use a smaller nut.
However, if it's the threads that go into the cylinder head that are stripped and you are not 100% sure how to fix it, have someone that does know do it. It'll cost a bit, but if you mess it up it'll cost a whole lot more!
Post some pics if you can so we can get a visual on the problem and then take it from there.
Good luck!

 

When you gonna put that thing back together. lol i want some done pics you can do it lol

 

blk99gtp

Asumming its a threaded stud like Maxim-X suggested.
Try double nutting the stud and carefully try to unscrew the stud. you may need to heat the area around the stud with a propane torch. then replace with a new stud or bolt.
If its the hole for the stud that is stripped then you will need to put a helicoil insert into it. Either way be very carefull.

 

The original configuration for all of these bikes is threaded studs with those goofy hollow flanged nuts.

First step: http://www.kanolabs.com/google/

 

the threads are just stripped on the end on both headstuds. So should I buy that tool and try to cut the threads down a little bit?

I just don't want to mess the threads up so then I have to pull the headstud out if i don't have to...

I have ran into a problem like this before on my cbr600. The spark plug popped out of the hole and i put a helicoil in it to hold it down. But i have never had dany experience with the threads where they have been shredded before like this...


thanks guys

 

GET SOME KROIL. (I don't sell it; it just works when nothing else does.)

Soak the studs down with Kroil and let sit for a while; heat the head gently with a propane torch; double-nut the studs, and unscrew and replace them.

The "tool" referred to above is a simple rethreading die, and not a bad first step even if the studs are so torn up as to need replacing. Even if you're going to double-nut them and replace them as I've suggested, you'll still want to clean up the threads first. It's a good suggestion.

Having some common (for our bikes) sizes of taps and dies in the toolbox isn't a bad idea with these old bikes.