Helicoil 22re stripped exhaust manifold stud

So my 93 has decided it doesn't like one of the studs holding in the exhaust manifold. First time I heard it popped out I was freaked out a little at the noise so I pull into a gas station and the stud is hanging on by a thread in the hole. I got lucky I got to stop. Anyway I went home stuck it back in and tightened it and it seemed to bite. But after taking a trip to the beach. Upon arrival home I heard the noise again. So I grabbed it and jammed it in there once again where it will hold temporarily. Looking into the fix, many say use a helicoil. Has anyone got experience with a helicoil? Also the stud that has failed is in the very back of the engine on the bottom. It looks like its kind of a tough spot. Let me know if its a tough job. I have a bit of experience installing suspensions, replacing birfields and axles etc stuff like that. Am I qualified? Anything to know? Thanks!

 

I use them everyday at work. Do you have a picture of what you are talking about?

if you think it's a tough spot, don't forget you need a tool like the one below to install a helical insert.

 

What would be a better solution would be a Timesert. A heli coil is a wound wire, a timesert it a tube which is threaded on the inside and outside. Same procedure for installing either. Being in the tough spot it is, you might want to pull the head to do the job, rather then getting it wrong. I did a head gasket on my '88 22re, and was able to unbolt the exhaust manifold and leave the intake side mostly together, just lifting and tilting the head towards the passenger side. This would give you good shot at accessing the hole. If you don't feel you're up for it, or something goes wrong, send the head here; http://www.brokentap.com/index.html. Good luck.

 

so in the first picture the stud that is the issue is on the bottom right. It's a little tight but I do have a bit of room to work with.

 

Why those posted twice I don't know

 

Is it threaded both sides?

 

Yes. One thread goes into the engine while anothe has a nut that holds on the manifold.

 

Id clean the threads out real good and get some red loctite. Torque appropriately and it should stay tight. It's weird a stud would back out like that. Most studs like that I've dealt with end up destroyed just trying to get them out