Need to remove head to weld up manifold bolt hole?

[twisted frame]

I'm wondering if I have to pull my driver's side head and bring to a machine shop to have one of the exhaust manifold bolt holes welded up with a plug or something and have a new hole drilled and tapped in the original location.

I messed up the hole originally by breaking one of the original exh. manifold bolts off, broke the easy-out in that, and generally did a bang-up nasty job of messing it up.

I drilled everything out to the Heli-Coil specified size, inserted the coil and it would not sit properly because I think there is still some of the bit in there. Either way, the hole is out of round on the face of the head.

Is removing the head now my only option?
Couldn't find the exact answer in the threads. Thank you in advance.

[J4GRAND]

I think you might be better off getting a replacement head because either way, repair or replacement, the head will have to come off. If your valves are in good shape they could be reused. Has the 360 ever had any head or valve work? May be a good time to do both heads and have the hardened seats, new valve seals and springs put in.

But you may not want to listen to my advice. What started out as a simple 4bbl intake and carb transplant turned into a complete rebuild on my 73 J4000!

[twisted frame]

Wow, to my knowledge, no work has ever been done on the heads, and there's 155K on it.

I can't just replace one head, right? I'm not extremely knowledgeable in the engine building dept., but it seems like things could get pretty un-balanced if two different heads were used. Plus, who knows if I could compare them with leaving the passenger side one on the block.

[J4GRAND]

You could just replace one head, but while it's apart, do both. With 155k on the ticker, it's time to do a valve job anyway. Make sure you have help removing the heads. They are heavy mothers!

[twisted frame]

Cool, thanks very much! I need to do this soon, because this Jeep wants to RUN!