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Header install gone bad.

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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 03:24 PM
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Default Header install gone bad.

Well everything went fine getting the exhaust taking off and the cats and all. Got to the manifolds and noticed that one of the bolts was missing the head. Wasn't concerned too much at that point, I got some vice grips clamped it on and it started backing out. And then snap damn thing broke off in the head. Well unless I can magically get that thing out, I'll be pulling the head off now. Course if I'm gonna go to that trouble, I wasn't planning on doing heads and cam for a couple years but I guess now would be a good as time as any.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 03:36 PM
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That sucks
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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damn i had a bolt snap off in the head once from over tightening a header bolt but thank god it came out with no problems
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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They make a bit that you put in a drill that will embed itself into the broken off bolt and when it bottoms out it will then unscrew the bolt. Not sure where to get them, walmart maybe.. go ask someone there about it. I had to use it for the same situation only not on my motor lol.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:26 PM
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Yeah only problem is there is only a couple inches of work are. Getting it out when I get the head off is easy. Now my debate is just to fix my problem or do a head/cam swap.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:29 PM
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Similar thing happened to me, I was putting the last bolt in the passenger side of the head and it went in just fine about half way then practically stopped, and I realized it was in crooked. Tried to put it in straight again but wouldn't go. All I could do was put a spacer in so it clamped the last header section down. Haven't had a problem yet but kinda pissed me off.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Cowboy97
Yeah only problem is there is only a couple inches of work are. Getting it out when I get the head off is easy. Now my debate is just to fix my problem or do a head/cam swap.
maybe not full H/C but at least put heads on it, ported 243s at least?
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:44 PM
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you can get a welder and fill the hole up then weld a nut on there then turn it out. since its aluminum you can do this.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:52 PM
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either that or lots of penetrating oil. reverse drill bit to unthread it. or an extractor. be very carefull and its doable so you dont have to pull ur heads. use a right angle drill and hope you got enough room.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 06:40 PM
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a GOOD exhaust shop should be able to do it.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 07:20 PM
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Well I'm already tore down to the heads, really isn't that hard when the exhaust and all is gone. Now my only decision is have these heads cleaned up, or go with 243s or 5.3s. I know of people who do heads, but nobody around here specializes in ls motors.
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