Need help regarding a bolt on my TPI plenum
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Need help regarding a bolt on my TPI plenum
I recently repainted my intake and upon reinstallation, all the bolts went in ok.. however the very first top bolt towards the front of the intake on the drivers side just behind the TB will not go in. It goes in but then gets real tight as if its cross threading. I pulled it out and sure enough it seems to be stripping inside just a little bit but not all the way in. Will a thread chaser fix this problem ? I also lost one of my torque bit bolts for the other side of the plenum somewhere in the engine compartment and for the life of me cannot locate it. I was wondering if someone is willing to send me a spare bolt? Since the dealership and everywhere else doesn't carry it around here. Let me know. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Hey 87,
Sorry can't help you with a spare bolt but I did have the exact same problem you are having just one week ago. I bead blasted/painted my intake as well. The bolt would start to go in, then get tighter and tighter until I was not comfortable putting any more pressure on it. Upon removing the bolt I found that there was a little residual sand from the sand blasting I didn't get with the blow gun when I blew out the intake. If you had your parts sand blasted make sure there is no sand left in the bolt holes.
If you did not blast your parts I would try a chasing the threads. Just be sure to check each hole to make sure there is no crap in them.
this is the story of how I literally tried to pack sand...
Brian
VTvette
Sorry can't help you with a spare bolt but I did have the exact same problem you are having just one week ago. I bead blasted/painted my intake as well. The bolt would start to go in, then get tighter and tighter until I was not comfortable putting any more pressure on it. Upon removing the bolt I found that there was a little residual sand from the sand blasting I didn't get with the blow gun when I blew out the intake. If you had your parts sand blasted make sure there is no sand left in the bolt holes.
If you did not blast your parts I would try a chasing the threads. Just be sure to check each hole to make sure there is no crap in them.
this is the story of how I literally tried to pack sand...
Brian
VTvette
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Same here, sometimes I have to start a bunch of them by hand and "push" the plenum into position to line up a few. I assume you are using antiseize.
I had to go to OSH and use a variant of the torx bolt...Still lose them and strip my threads
I had to go to OSH and use a variant of the torx bolt...Still lose them and strip my threads
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Chase it with a M8x1.5 tap. A new bolt will probably just follow the old one and make it worse. Also, it helps to loosen all 7 other bolts to the upper plenum, and start that troublesome one first.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Thanks guys... however I didnt use any antiseize and didnt sand blast my intake at all. I also loosened the othert bolts up and wiggled it around and they went in fine. Then I forgot to plug something up in the back that I had to remove it and reinstall again. Now this friggin bolt is a nightmare. I need another bolt for the drivers side of the plenum since I lost it. As for the one that is causing a headache.. I will see if I can chase it.
Hey CC didn't you used to make a set of stainless steel bolts in the past if I remember correctly ?
Hey CC didn't you used to make a set of stainless steel bolts in the past if I remember correctly ?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Yeah, don't have any left though. You could probably pick up (7) M8x30mm allen bolts at the hardware store though, so they match.
Also, Napa here sells OEM fasteners, all the wierd bolts and crap. Give them a try.
Also, Napa here sells OEM fasteners, all the wierd bolts and crap. Give them a try.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by geogolf
if you give me your address i will send you one just got new slp runners so i have a bunch of spares i asume you want a short one geo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Originally Posted by 87vette
Thanks guys... however I didnt use any antiseize and didnt sand blast my intake at all. I also loosened the othert bolts up and wiggled it around and they went in fine. Then I forgot to plug something up in the back that I had to remove it and reinstall again. Now this friggin bolt is a nightmare. I need another bolt for the drivers side of the plenum since I lost it. As for the one that is causing a headache.. I will see if I can chase it.
Hey CC didn't you used to make a set of stainless steel bolts in the past if I remember correctly ?
Hey CC didn't you used to make a set of stainless steel bolts in the past if I remember correctly ?
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
I agree with Central - loosen the bottom runner bolts, start the top ones, tighten the bottom, then the top, and you should have no problems. After taking the plenum/runners off more times than I can count, this procedure has not let me down.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by jmrl98
I agree with Central - loosen the bottom runner bolts, start the top ones, tighten the bottom, then the top, and you should have no problems. After taking the plenum/runners off more times than I can count, this procedure has not let me down.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
Chase it with a M8x1.5 tap. A new bolt will probably just follow the old one and make it worse. Also, it helps to loosen all 7 other bolts to the upper plenum, and start that troublesome one first.
Last edited by 87vette; Dec 13, 2005 at 07:37 PM.
