Advice for stripped threading on valve cover

hey guys! a nightmare happened, when i was tryna change my spark plugs i noticed there was a different bolt being used to keep the ignition coil packs down. then i realized where the bolt threads in the hole, its completely stripped. like a bolt wont thread in now! any advice on what i should do? someone told me to replace the whole valve cover itself but i wanna hear other peoples suggestions before doing so. i was also told tapping into aluminum is kinda difficult.

 

It looks like the bolt head broke off. Is that true?

Easy (not elegant) fix ideas:

Those coil packs have no stress on them, and the rubber cap on the plug pretty much holds them in place.
Easiest fix would be to drill and tap for a small bolt to anchor it.

Or, you could use a bit of JB weld and anchor a piece of all-thread and screw a nut on it. It's really not going to take much to hold that down.

 

theres no bolt in there, sorry for the misleading pic. however i was thinking about the tapping method and ur jb weld idea sounds pretty good too. i just want it to be secure enough for offroading

 

Use an easy out. I’ve gotten tons and tons of broken bolts and fasteners out.

BOSCH BSPE6D 12Piece Steel Spiral Flute Screw Extractor Set

$28 BOSCH BSPE6D 12-Piece Assorted Set Spiral Flute High-Carbon Steel Screw Extractor & Black Oxide Drill Bits Ideal for Removing Stripped Screws, Bolts, Fasteners

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1M1TQG

 

If the threads in the valve cover are toast, and there is not a broken bolt in there (if there is bolt in there, use an extractor and remove it), you have a few options.

1) Simple... jb weld. shove some in there, and push a bolt in, call it good, and try not to think about it... This isn't a high tension bolt, it'll be plenty.

2-1) Helicoil - don't get them from Amazon. be sure to get the blind hole style for this application.

2-2) re-tap with a larger thread- drill a slightly larger hole, and re tap (with a blind hole tap).

3) new/used valve cover - Replace the the cover with a non-stripped one & do your valve cover gaskets while you're at it.

 

If the threaded hole stripped, then use Heli-coil to fix it.

 

i say use a heli-coil.

 

I kinda like theidea of Epoxy a stud .

Then when or if you do the valve covers You can fix it correct if your not happy .

Drilling and tapping Aluminum is easy trying to do it on the truck makes it difficult at least for a klutz like me.