If I've stripped the threads at the bottom of a headbolt hole in a block, why Put in a HeliCoil? Couldn't I just tap the top of the hole for the next larger size bolt that would fit (or drill to whatever diameter it takes) and tap threads then make own head stud with my die and snug it into the tapped hole ?

 

The larger stud diameter would require enlarging the holes in the parts it goes through, which may not be possible or excessively weaken them.

Helicoils work great, they are stronger than original threads. Some high-end machines have helicoils in all the threaded holes from the factory rather than bolts threaded directly into aluminum. Not that it is an issue here, but it is much more durable when repeated disassembly is necessary.

 

Thanks, Mk378. Can the HeliCoils be screwed to the bottom of a hole then followed by another to spread out the torque load? The videos all seem to show HeliCoils being inserted to .5 turn past the opening.