Came across this on eBay and just thought I would give everyone a heads-up. Also found a company on eBay supplying rebuilt Northstar engines for $2,995 + 200 for shipping and they come with a 3 year warranty! Not too bad! Complete head sets for dirt cheap too on eBay. Anyway, just thought I would share as I have no affiliation with any of this just to clarify.

NORTHSTAR ENGINE BLOCK HEAD BOLTS THREAD REPAIR KIT Item number: 8076074105

price: US $349.00


End time: Jun-25-06 16:38:40 PDT (8 days 4 hours)
Shipping costs: US $15.00
US Postal Service Priority Mail®
Ships to: United States
Item location: Manheim, PA, United States

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Starting time: Jun-15-06 16:38:40 PDT
Duration: 10-day listing

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Description

Have you been told that your Northstar head bolts are stripped out and there is nothing that can be done to fix it because it had already been repaired once before? That'* what happened to me! I bought a pre-owned 96 Cadillac SLS and started having problems with it overheating, only to find out it had been repaired once before with Coil type and Solid type inserts with Synchronized internal and external threads. I was told that a new block would be around $7000.00! After doing some research, I found out that the Northstar engines were notorious for this problem.

I am a Tool and Die Maker by trade, and out of necessity developed the NS300L Insert System (Patent Pending) . The NS300L Insert System is a thread repair kit I designed to out perform all other insert systems on the market. Unlike inserts with synchronized internal and external threads, the NS300L insert is a much larger and much stronger insert, with a much courser external thread, and having at least 3 times more engagement into the aluminum block than the common coil type and solid synchronized type inserts. There is nothing wrong with these type inserts, the challenge with these inserts is they do not grip enough of the already weak aluminum.

My Mechanic, who installed the NS300L insert System in my engine, was impressed with how well they worked. Not long after that, word got around and I received a phone call from another garage in the area that had the same problem that I did and heard that I had developed my own insert kit, they had a Northstar that was repaired once before with Coil type inserts, that had stripped out of the block. At their request I made an insert kit for them and they loved it!

I have sold several kits, and have been hearing very positive results from buyers


The inserts are 1- ¾ inches long and have a M11 X 1.5 internal thread.

Inserts will work in "93" through "99" 4.0/4.6L NorthStar engines and most likely 2000 through 2003 with different depths of lower and upper bank holes.

I received a quote for a solid insert kit with synchronized internal and external threads to do all 20 bolt holes for over $350.00 (the same inserts that pulled out of my block), and a oversized insert kit to do all 20 holes for over $400.00.




Insert Kit includes:

Installation instruction

21 Threaded inserts (steel).

1 Tap Drill (17/32" - same size as the counter bores in engine block).

1 5/8-11 Plug Tap

1 5/8-11 Bottom Hand Tap

1 Tap and Tap Drill Alignment Block.

1 "Tap Magic" tapping fluid.

1 LOCTITE 266,(shown) or Permatex high temp. high strength thread lock(10ml).

Will accept payment through PayPal or a U.*. Postal money order

Nice digging Daytona... I looked at the engines you referred to on E-bay and thats a good price. Califorrnia Hot Rod Fabricators sell a new 4.6L for 5K But they are in an agreement with GM not to sell to Production vehicle owners so the $7000 figure is probably about right. The e bay motors from Accurate Engines must be pre 2000 ones, before they went to powder coated valve guides and sleeves that cant be overbored (here'* a good read for ya about the N*)http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us100232.htm
It has some pretty good history about the engines and year to year refinements and changes. I plan on calling Accurate at the 800 number because I'm intrigued by this and wonder how much trouble it would be to get our PCM connected to the previous years and if they can recam and revalve larger. The price is nice, they have an excellent e-bay score (100 percent) so they do something right. Another good read is http://www.v8mr2.com/reference/Engine_rebuild.pdf#search='LD8%20Specifications'
This one is a rebuilders guide for the 4.6L (VIN Y) and has alot more technical info in it. GM has come up with thier own head bolt fix as well now but I dont know their pricing and I'm sure it doesnt include what your find bives you to complete the job.

Glad to see someone else so interested in what makes these engines tick and figure out what can be done to fix and or replace them. I wonder what N* has in store for refinements next.... Buick is now using the LD8 in 06 in Lucernes but the Hp is still rated at 275. Also wonder if the Lucerne platform will be the next full size offering by Pontiac. Rumors of a G8 have been around for a couple years.

I knew you would see this here and be interested since you had posted the topic about the head bolt issues. Thanks for the links as I look forward to checking them out.