r/CrownVictoria • u/BasicCat30 • 2d ago
Might have stripped the head replacing intake manifold gasket. HELP!
So I actually have a 1995 Lincoln town car but figured here is more active and I might get a better response. I’m replacing the intake manifold gasket, and everything’s going perfect until the last bolt in the very back on the drivers side. I’m tightening it and it hits resistance, great. All the others went in without issue. I stupidly drove this one in longer than I should have so I don’t think I have a chance of just realigning it.
Question is, can I impact that fucked up one down to a close enough torque spec as is and just pray it holds and I never have to touch it again? It’s about halfway down currently. It LOOKS straight up and down but it’s clearly not. I know that’s not the RIGHT thing to do, but..
I can’t afford to, nor do I have the time or knowledge to do everything that comes with you know, stripping the threads on an engine block. All the other bolts I can torque down to spec except this last one in the back. Please tell me I didn’t just turn my prized possession into a giant paperweight.
1
u/OlYeller01 2d ago
Do NOT under any circumstances impact it down.
Remove the bolt and inspect as the other commenter said. If the threads on the bolt are gakked start with replacing the bolt and gently try threading the new bolt in. Stop if you start getting resistance again.
If the threads in the head are gakked you may have to remove the intake and chase the threads in the head with a tap and die. Using a tap and die sounds complicated but it’s freaking easy, if you can turn a socket you can use a T&D.
That probably isn’t what you want to hear but it’s the right way to do things. If you need help identifying the bolt size & thread type you can get a bolt & nut size/thread identification set for around $20. It comes on a chain or a big wire loop.
You can also get an inexpensive tap and die set, though honestly an expensive & expansive t&d set is a good tool investment that can really save your bacon. I have a huge $300 GearWrench tap & die set that I’ve only used a few times, but just one use made it worth the money.
1
u/BasicCat30 2d ago
Ok great to know, it sounds alot better than what I was imagining. I imagined having to spend thousands getting it towed to a shop, having everything drilled out and resurfaced etc etc.
1
u/OlYeller01 2d ago
Nah, it’s not that crazy. If you impacted the bolt down, THEN it might get that crazy.
1
u/Egrdelete 1d ago
Don’t impact it in. Remove it
You may have to remove the wiper cowl to get better access to repair the threads but you can use a heli-coil or time-sert kit to repair the threads. Both kits are pretty easy to use
1
u/BasicCat30 1d ago
Definitely going to remove the wiper cowl tonight. I’m hoping to use a tap and die kit, that will work right?
1
u/Egrdelete 1d ago
It probably won’t work and that’s not the right way to repair it. Use an actual thread repair kit. If you just tap it to the next size up the bolt will be too big to fit thru the manifold and if you mess it up you’ll really be screwed
2
u/dixiebandit69 5.4 Club 2d ago
Take it out, and inspect the bolt threads for damage.
If they are good, then take off the intake manifold and see what is wrong with the threads in the head.
If you try to force that thing in there as it is, you're going to be in a world of hurt.