Helicoil exhaust port bolt hole

[Bryan Cotton]

Hey guys,
I was trying to put my exhaust back on and one bolt wouldn't screw in nicely. I'll try and clean it up tomorrow but the Force tells me I may end up with a helicoil here. Anybody else been through this?

[T41pilot]

Definitely go with the Helicoil. I tried to clean mine up when that happened and it didn't hold up. I bought a Helicoil kit on Amazon that included the coils, tool and proper size drill bit. The install was easy. What a difference! The connection felt much more solid and I felt I could snug it down a bit tighter than before. I was tempted to do the rest right then and there but didn't want to take my exhaust loose since it was difficult to get on in the first place. I don't remember the size off the top of my head right now. I'm sure someone will chime in with their opinion as well but my vote is for Helicoil.

[Bryan Cotton]

Thanks Gregg! They are M8x1.25. I already have the kit as Adam stripped one of the fuel pump blockoff plate holes years ago.

[Bryan Cotton]

It's always sad when you have to take off the baffles, especially with all that nice cured RTV to deal with. That stripped hole is now helicoiled and I resisted the temptation to do the other 3 (or 7 if you prefer).

I used primer on the helicoil and red loctite in the hole.