So is the 7/16 tap size close enough to the stripped hole size that you do not need to drill first? Simply tap 7/16-14, screw in the new stud and go?

Yup, well in my case it was considering there werent any signs of threads ever existing in the holes. When I stripped mine, I made sure I got it all! lol. I didnt have any problems whatso-ever when it came time to run the tap through. I stuck something in the hole to measure the depth, matched it to the tap and used masking tape as a stop guide on the tap, and went to town. Held up just fine. Of course Im not running that head anymore...decided I needed a little something more for being good over the last year! lol Street RV head...Virgin Casting and all new Exhuast studs. New Headbolts too! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />
<img src="http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2dxnp/jpgs/Darin/bolts.jpg" alt=" - " />

~Darin <img border="0" alt="[Baby]" title="" src="graemlins/baby.gif" />