problem while taking a cylinder head apart....

[erickmarciano]

Hi all

have a spare head for my car I want to rebuilt. toke all apart and I damaged the thread in these 2 water fitings how and where should I fix theme?
Thanks

[SteveK]

I guess it all depends how bad.  If there not too messed up I would clean them out with a tap and then put the new fitting in with thread sealant.  If the threads are bad you will need to use a Helicoil.

[Shvegel]

I think you will find that the only real option is welding and re-machining.  Get ready though because my experience in this area is that they always have oddball  threads that are rarely used meaning your machinist will make you buy the tap to cut the threads at about $80 each.

[Dave Gallon]

I completely ripped the threads out of one of those cooling water connections on a 220SEb head a few years back. (It was necessary to remove the fitting regardless of the consequences!) The local machine shop here in San Diego who specializes in Mercedes and other foreign products had no trouble repairing the hole by welding and rethreading it. So, do not get crazy with these fittings unless the head is off and you are willing to pay the price for thread repair. However, repair is possible if the shop is competent.