Repairing head bolt threads

I've used the long helicoil, but then I also set up a jig to drill perfectly straight..........  I've big on templates, jigs, etc. (as noted in my thread on hinge repair - I use good measuring tools, and make sure it's going to be just right even if it means spending an hour on setup just for a 1 minute drill job.)

The insert would be better for the reasons mentioned.... I guess it sort of depends on your goals for the engine, etc. It also depends on your skill, confidence, and tools available to you. Those things only you can judge.

I personally would do and have done the helicoil thing - and never had any problems.
Re-torques always checked out fine.
OTOH, I'm so busy now, I might just say the heck with it and let someone else deal with that less than fun part.
It will not be expensive at all - seriously, I bet it will be super cheap to have a shop install an insert compared to your time and hassle and running around.

Well, this will be a stock, lower compression engine, but I'd like things to just go right the first time. The big issue for me is finding any shop in the area that doesn't charge a ton just to do this. Billd mentioned it should be cheap to get it done, can anyone give me an estimated range? Around here, I'd guess I'd have to pay $300-400 to get the thread fixed, but possibly there are other machine shops known in SoCal that actually charge rates in line with the rest of the nation? BTW I am seriously questioning the quality of the rebuild at this point, so I most likely will get the shop to balance the rotating assy at the same time, as well as have them suggest a good brand of head studs, resurface the heads, and I assume basic FelPro's are fine for the headgaskets on a low comp engine?

Essentially, what should I expect to pay to balance the engine with flywheel/balancer, resurface heads, and fix ruined thread? Shop near me that would be about a $1000 bill, but what do real shops charge?

Not that it is the same as a block but I had a heli coil installed in a bell housing for $25 by the machine shop that surfaced my flywheel

Dude they SLEEVE engines here for 80 bucks a hole - so putting in that insert should not be much different - probably less in this part of the country.

If I could borrow a friend's equipment, I'd put the insert in for well under that.

I'll have to drag out my last machine shop tickets...... can't recall the balance job cost on my 390.

There's also a really great fellow close to me that runs a hi-perf machine shop in his huge garage (he built an Indy racer replica he tools around in now and then) and he's not expensive but he's sure got the respect of the rat rod crowd around here.

The 390 that was in my 69 AMX when I got it had all the holes in one bank drilled to 1/2", then heli-coiled back to 7/16".  Best I can tell is they once had dog leg heads on it, and then went back to square ports.  The 69 cast manifold was also slotted.  The block seemed OK when I disassembled it.  I didn't re-use it, but sold it to someone who may have.

Bob
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