Hey guys. So I am building a 22RE and I put the head on and torqued it all down. However, when trying to put in the bolt that goes from the head to the top of the timing cover, either the hole is off very slightly or the gasket hole is off slightly.

Everything was put on properly so this must be a manufacturing defect (It is not off by much, just enough to stop the bolt from dropping in).

What can be done here? Drill and Tap? Again it is hard to see if the hole is off or the gasket is off because the metal looks similar but I dont want to take the head off and have to buy another gasket.

 

The hole right in front of the cam sprocket.

 

I have a thought if that hole is off in the gasket how many others are as well??

Having the coolant or oil being restricted might be interesting .

just what gasket ??

That looks like a new head ??

 

It happens to me from time to time. I take a tapered punch and put it down in there and very carefully wiggle it around to line up the holes. I do emphasize carefully!
I have always managed to line them up doing it this way

 

I have done similar as to what toyospearo does and basically work the bolt thru the gasket. I always keep and compare my old gasket to the new gasket. I have seen some holes not punched out in the past on other makes of cars. One kept giving me an over heating issue as a water port was not punched.