Power Plate and Stripped Bolt Q's?

[dsa87gn]

I see alot of posts here about people stripping the bolts to the doghouse after installing the plate.

I see alot of post where it was 1/2 hour and no problems.

I'm going to be doing one soon and was just curious if the bolt lengths are that marginal or are people just getting a little carried away when cranking the bolts back down ?

anyone want to list their good or bad experience ?

 

[BoostMasterK]

Mine went on in about 30 minutes, no problems except when I was torquing that bolt (with the bracket), it started feeling "soft" when I got to the torque value. I'm running it and no apparent leaks but next time I'm in there I will address it with a helicoil.

I think that one bolt is marginal to start with considering the bracket, then adding the plate makes it worse. the PP kit might benefit with the addition of a new bolt for that one hole. I think the ol' plenum spacers came with that bolt.

[

 

[325DR]

I have one hole that is getting soft, too. I used a very thin layer of high-temp silicone on both sides of both gaskets when I installed the plate. I have seen 25psi of boost and there are no leaks. I know of a few people who even have one bolt missing with no problems!

 

[Red Regal T]

After reading the above posts and other threads about stripping out the holes, I would say the problem is overtightening. Why use a torque wrench for the job of putting the doghouse back on. With the aluminum threads, you're looking for trouble. I just use a 3/8" ratchet a go a little over snug.........no problems. If you want to avoid the possibility of stripping out the threads, change all the bolts out and go to studs. Nuts on studs have more clamping force and you don't have to worry about stripping out the aluminum threads.

 

[dsa87gn]

ttt..

in case anyone thought it was a "how do I fix it ?"
question and didnt read

 

[Red Regal T]

I READ IT...........AND ANSWERED IT. MAYBE YOU'RE JUST THICK.

 

[U1ARUNIT]

People are getting overzealous when tightening if ya ask me. If it's that big a deal though just get some longer bolts and ease your mind. Remember just goodandtight, not 1/4 turn passed stripped.

 

[BoostMasterK]

Originally posted by Red Regal T
...Why use a torque wrench for the job of putting the doghouse back on...

Geez now I'm in trouble for using a torque wrench? I'm gonna find you my high school shop teacher's phone number and you two can argue that one out


Mike [

 

[Gokou]

Originally posted by U1ARUNIT
People are getting overzealous when tightening if ya ask me. If it's that big a deal though just get some longer bolts and ease your mind. Remember just goodandtight, not 1/4 turn passed stripped.

I was using a torque wrench when I did mine, and the threads in the manifold gave way at only 8 ft-lbs on one of the bolts. The bolts need to be a hair longer to grab more threads, and the aluminum that GM decided to cast the intake out of is a bit on the soft side.

As someone else on this board mentioned, if you take the doghouse on/off frequently, do like carb'd motors and run studs so you're not constantly backing a bolt in and out of the soft aluminum.

IMO if you have the doghouse off to do the powerplate, you might as well just helicoil all the holes while you're there, because they WILL strip out at some point, I have no doubt about that.