broken header bolt
09-15-2009, 07:18 PM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mesquite TX
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
broken header bolt okay so i was changing my stock manifolds to lt headers and got to the very last bolt (passenger side) got a turn out of it and the damn bolt broke flush to the head. all i need to know is how or if i can get it out without taking the head off? tried a right angle drill but still not enough room, this is stupid but found some 2000 degree sealant to maybe seal the last part of the header, probably no good huh? please if anyone has any opinions let me know.
09-15-2009, 07:43 PM
#2
FormerVendor
iTrader: (73)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When you torque a bolt down the pressure that keeps it down is stored in the head of the bolt. If you can get back there with a little punch and hammer you can likely find an uneven edge to tap counterclockwise until enough of the bolt is expose to wrench on it with pliers. You may not have enough room to do it but it works on most bolts that you can access.
Good Luck
Good Luck
09-15-2009, 08:19 PM
#3
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mesquite TX
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When you torque a bolt down the pressure that keeps it down is stored in the head of the bolt. If you can get back there with a little punch and hammer you can likely find an uneven edge to tap counterclockwise until enough of the bolt is expose to wrench on it with pliers. You may not have enough room to do it but it works on most bolts that you can access.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Trending Topics
09-17-2009, 11:37 PM
#8
Staging Lane
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I did LT headers on my 94 T/a I was missing the second to last bolt, far back, on the driver's side.
What did I do? Absolutely nothing. Used plenty of RTV sealant, Mr. Gasket gaskets, and just tightened the rest down nice and tight. Couldn't get it out right then (was sunk about 1/4" into the head), and didn't have the money to pay someone else to do anything. Cash was already a little strapped when I started the project. Just did what I could with what I had...
For the next 2000 miles I had the car no issue. With the missing bolt beforehand I had no issue as well.
Though for a bolt on the very end could be a different story...
What did I do? Absolutely nothing. Used plenty of RTV sealant, Mr. Gasket gaskets, and just tightened the rest down nice and tight. Couldn't get it out right then (was sunk about 1/4" into the head), and didn't have the money to pay someone else to do anything. Cash was already a little strapped when I started the project. Just did what I could with what I had...
For the next 2000 miles I had the car no issue. With the missing bolt beforehand I had no issue as well.
Though for a bolt on the very end could be a different story...
09-18-2009, 01:00 AM
#10
11 Second Club
iTrader: (33)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of mine is broken off too. Been driving the car for probably 10k miles since it happened. GM MLS gaskets and ARH headers, so the flanges are really thick, I'm sure that helps.
09-20-2009, 12:29 AM
#11
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mesquite TX
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well i have a buddy coming over and were gonna take the head off, i just cant get in there, not enough room. if it was in the middle i think i could get away with it but its on the end and wanna get it right, hey at least i can learn how to change a head, lol. thanks guys.
09-20-2009, 07:58 AM
#12
EZ out for the win man. Just pick up a set at the hardware store, take your time, pull it out, and replace. It's so much better just to do the job right. On my old mustang, I had ruined threads on a few bolt holes in the head and I ran headers without some bolts, they eventually warped and leaked. Just do it right, I had the same issues with my Camaro, but I took my time and did it right, and I feel much better about it now.
09-20-2009, 10:31 AM
#13
Deja Vue, I got both of mine out but mine were on the driver side.
I 'm still working on mine but thats a different story! see post "header hell"
I think if you make a jig see my post for photo, ou can come up from the bottom with a short jobber drill and a right angle drill.
Good luck!
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...o-problem.html
I 'm still working on mine but thats a different story! see post "header hell"
I think if you make a jig see my post for photo, ou can come up from the bottom with a short jobber drill and a right angle drill.
Good luck!
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...o-problem.html
09-20-2009, 08:30 PM
#14
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mesquite TX
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well we got the head off and now a regular drill will not go through the bolt, tried for about 15 minutes of just drilling and got about a 32nd of an inch in it, lol can it get worse? taking it to a machinist tommorrow so they can get it out, luckily i know one, after that just get the head back on and the coolant system back right and it should be going by tuesday, a three hour project turned into a week, lol, this **** sucks!
09-26-2009, 12:41 AM
#16
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mesquite TX
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well i paid the machinist 20 bucks, all he used was a drill press, took about 20 minutes, got everything back on including the new ebay headers which imo are badass, no fitment issues, stainless steel and sound crazy with lanes true dual setup. thanks guys.
09-26-2009, 07:59 AM
#17
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Greenville,NC
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats good i have the same problem now. I have a mobile welder coming out this am to see if he can get mine out. its the rear one, on the driver side. Kinda tight but i think its doable!!
09-26-2009, 12:05 PM
#18
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mesquite TX
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the driver side has a little more room than the passenger side a mig welder it should be okay, i could have finished my complete install in about 3 to 4 hours but it turned into ten days because of that damn bolt, worth it but wish i didnt have go through it.
09-26-2009, 03:08 PM
#19
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Greenville,NC
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
He couldn't get mine out. SO i went ahead and pulled the head this afernoon, and going to take it to the machine shop monday am. Anyone got a link to were in can find the torque specs for reinstalling the heads and intake?
