[pfilean]

Been working on a project to add Vintage Air to my 61. At least on days the garage gets warm enough to inspire ambition. Anyway, my approach to this project uses an original 61/62 AC compressor mount. That requires changing two head bolts to longer bolts. My front corner head bolt came out but I can't get the new bolt to thread in. Just won't engage the first thread and pull itself in. Like maybe a small piece to gasket is stopping it. I have tried three different bolts, one old, some new. Nothing gets them to start in the thread. I have blown out the hole several times with air. I have reinserted the original bolt several times and it will go in and torque down. All bolts thread nicely on a tall 1/2-13 nut I used for testing. All will allow a die to go on full thread length. I have a tap but it is so short I am about to loose it in the hole. I can get long taps but McMaster Carr wants $50-80 per tap. There may be cheaper ones around but I haven't done a search yet.

Anyone have an idea that will save me from pulling a head. Dang those 3x2 manifolds are heavy while leaning out over a fender.