Front upper lift bracket bolt threads stripped

[poorshee1]

I recently changed out the water pump on my 1995 E320 with the M104 engine and noticed that the front upper lift bracket bolt was loose. When I attempted to tighten it, it just spins. It appears that both the lower and upper lift bracket bolts go thru the front upper timing chain cover and into the head, which is where I think the threads for these bolts reside. Has anyone ever had one of these bolt threads strip out before? If so, does the head need to come out to fix it or can it be helicoiled in place by removing the timing chain cover? Any help is appreciated.

If I don't fix this I believe that it will eventually leak coolant and/or oil thru this bolt hole!

Thanks

poorshee1