I was fixing my stripped header bolt on the header. I took the head off to find that one of the top head bolts have been broken off. I need to get that bolt out and fix what I have to from there on. I will probbally need a tap on the threads to clean the threads out. Here are some pics of the broken bolt. Someone please give me some good ideas on how to remove the bolt. I also need to know the thread pattern to get a tap to clean the bolt holes.




Please give me some good ideas on how to remove that bolt. Thanks Trevor

 

I cant tell exactly how much of the bolt is sticking out, but it looks like you have enough to weld a small 3/8 or 10mm wrench to it. That is of course if you have access to a welder. I did this one time on a crank bolt and it worked great. Just be sure to cover up your cylinders good, so you dont get any splatter in them. Sure you'll ruin a wrench, but it'll be worth it. Good luck!

 

How did that break? Iron block or alum? I was going to mention the weld idea also. Just weld a nut to the bolt. Or the 'ol bolt extractor tool.

 

Aluminum block. I don't have a welder or access to one. I will try to get a extractor tomorow and work on it again. It has been on the car for a while like that. I plan to spray the car and would really like to have all bolts holding the head on.

 

Have you tried a good set of vise grips?

 

 

be careful of the block around the bolt while you're working on it, you don't want to scratch or gouge it- if you can get a nice thin large washer to put over it to protect the area that would be good. Try a good set of vise grips first. If not, here are a good variety of extractors:
http://www.brandsplace.com/tool-hand...xtractors.html

 

I have tryed with the vice grips and no luck I let it soak in wd40 all night and gave it a squirt again before I tried with the vice grips but, no luck. I don't have enough leverage on the area adn can't get a good grip on the top. I went to the auto store to get a screw extractor. I am going to give that a shot and hopefully good luck.

 

I have a Craftsman bolt extractor kit like this that I picked up for about $20 and it has worked great everytime I've needed it. Plus you won't get metal shavings everywhere from drilling out the bolt.

 

i have a kit like that but its an irwin? maybe. got it at oreilly's and it works great

 

How easy is it to break a head bolt like that ?

I'm getting ready to do a cam/head swap, this makes me nervous.


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Welding a nut onto it to create a new head is the best method. Ask around, I'll bet you can find someone near you with a 110v Mig machine that'll help you out. There are usually mobile welding services around too. Might call the local welding supply shop for a lead on someone who does that.

If you just can't find a welder and the other methods don't work, there appears to be enough material sticking up to slot it so that you can get a large flat-blade screwdriver in it. That should give you enough leverage to get it out.

HTH and Good Luck.

 

Try and slot it with a cutting wheel on a Dremmel. You may be able to turn it with a large flathead held with a pair of big vice grips

 

i agree with trying to weld a nut to the bolt. works almost everytime, and normally the heat generated from the welding will help facilitate in removal.

 

Don't use a tap to clean the threads. You need to use a thread chaser, there is a difference. If you use a tap you will weaken the threads in the block.

 

Most important, take your time - you'll get it, it's just a matter of how. Do not break the screw extractor in there, it will make it much harder to get out. Try the methods at you disposal first - like you have something sicking up now so try to use that. The nut breakers shown above may work, try those before you drill. Look up a welder and see how much it'll cost to weld a nut on there, etc. once you've exhausted tring to use the piece sticking out, then go to drilling. Take your time again - drill straight and centered.

 

That sucks that you can't get a mig welder. It would be a piece of cake if you just could weld a nut on there and it would come out like butter. Maybe you could glue a nut on there with some 2 part metal epoxy...

 

DO NOT USE THESE. They require you drill out the center and then put them in to extract the bolt. meanwhile they are pushing out on the threads and making the bolt bite harder into the block.

Best way is to weld a nut or another bolt to what you have or use those craftsman extractors that look like weird sockets pictured above.

Once you get it out, use a thread chaser as prescribed, DO NOT use a tap.

Just make sure you are covering your cylinders and the rest of the block as to keep the metal shavings out of your engine. That should be a hardened bolt so its not going to drill very well at all, but will weld excellent.

 

left-handed drill bit

 

Got the bolt thanks to a good set of channel locks. Thanks for the help but I have run into another problem and will post a new thread on it. Thanks again Trevor