Header bolt broke
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Novi, MI
Header bolt broke Yeah, I guess I re-used them one too many times. I went to loosen the bastard and the head just snapped off. I figured a screw/bolt extractor, but it's a pretty tight fit under the hood. The header is off. Any bright ideas? 
Re: Header bolt broke If the bolt snapped coming out, then the screw driver thing won't work. Try drilling and using a back out tool. Be careful if it won't budge, stop. If you snap off the back out tool in there, your done. It is hardened and you can't drill it. Take it from experience. Your best bet is to drill out the bolt and use a tap. You will need a 90 degree drill to get in there. Good Luck...
Trending Topics
Re: Header bolt broke Here's one more "bright idea," MIG weld another bolt onto it then you can just turn it out with a wrench. I've seen this done and it works quite well, especially on aluminum heads because the steel weld doesn't stick to aluminum.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Re: Header bolt broke Cal's idea is the best, with the screwdriver being 2nd. Also apply as much heat as you can, and it will come out easier.
I've seen way too many easy out's broken off in heads. When that happens the head comes off.
I've seen way too many easy out's broken off in heads. When that happens the head comes off.
Re: Header bolt broke 1) I'd say try vice grips first if there is enough sticking out to get a hold of.
2) If not, slot the bolt with a dremel and try turning it out with a screwdriver. Howerever, it may be too tight to turn with a screwdriver since the head broke off before the bolt turned.
3) So at this point get out the MIG welder and attach another bolt to it and turn out with a socket.
I wouldn't try the screw extractor or drilling it out with the head on the car, because it will be too easy to slip to one side and ruin the threads in the head.
2) If not, slot the bolt with a dremel and try turning it out with a screwdriver. Howerever, it may be too tight to turn with a screwdriver since the head broke off before the bolt turned.
3) So at this point get out the MIG welder and attach another bolt to it and turn out with a socket.
I wouldn't try the screw extractor or drilling it out with the head on the car, because it will be too easy to slip to one side and ruin the threads in the head.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Novi, MI
Re: Header bolt broke No, the car is still suspended in the driveway. I haven't really had any time to screw with it due to a funeral and things alike. I'm planning on getting at it tomorrow. There is nowhere near enough bolt to grab it with vice grips, but I haven't looked at it enough to determine if the dremel thing will work. Either way, results will be posted by the weekend! Thanks for all the help guys.
Launching!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, La.
Re: Header bolt broke
Here's one more "bright idea," MIG weld another bolt onto it then you can just turn it out with a wrench. I've seen this done and it works quite well, especially on aluminum heads because the steel weld doesn't stick to aluminum.
