Stripped Bolt Valve Cover

Just came back from a spin and noticed oil spitting from the valve cover at the front right cylinder plug. Tried to tighten the bolt and would not grab. Can't imagine how that stripped without laying a wrench to it, but it is stripped, Noticed that the 6X52 bolt hole goes all through the casting and was wondering if I might get a longer bolt and attach a nut underneath to hold it down, Anyone ever try that? I suppose i could tap the hole, but getting a longer bolt and a nut seems like an easier fix until I'm ready to get at the valves again. Thanks.

I used a bolt with a 7/16" head the same length in a pinch. Only a temporary fix.
Steve

As SWest suggest, a longer M6 bolt with a nut is only a temporary fix
The best solution is a Helicoil threat repair.

I did a helicoil on one of those holes a few years ago. Being open at the bottom was excellent for blowing it clean after drilling although i didnt run the drill all the way through the bottom. Put tape on the drill bit as a depth marker.
If you have never done a helicoil before this is a great place to start and to see how simple it really is.

Better to use timesert's, helicoils can reverse out when the tang at the bottom does not break off cleanly, and its better to run the tap for them right through open holes and put in the longest insert possible, in blind holes buy a decent set of taps the same pitch as the M6 helicoil and timesert they are the same threads and thread to the bottom of the hole and use the longest possible insert in these as well.

Helicoils work great for bunged up valve cover thread. Keep in mind that metal is soft. The suggested torque on most bikes is in IN.LBS not ftLBS. I would say the timeserts are better for strength and larger diameter threads, but the helicoils worked very well on the valve cover threads. Use antiseize and you won't have the helicoil back out when removing the bolt. R

You guys had me almost talked into using timeserts when I did all 16 of my cam caps. Won't argue that they might be a step up but I decided on the heli's since I was worried to death on messing up one and at least had a little experience with the heli's. All went in good and the tangs broke off nice.

I used a little anti seize on the bolts too and after cam removal maybe 3 times they are all fine........ have always stopped at 70 to 75 inch lbs after reading so many problems with em on here.