Broken head bolt in ls1 block
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,358
Likes: 27
From: Northwest AR
Broken head bolt in ls1 block A friend has a 02 ls1 with a broke head bolt. One of the long bolts broke nearly all the way down in the hole and the previous owner just put the engine back together that way.
The machine shop my friend took it to told him he couldn't get the bolt out, get a new block.
I think this sounds a little ridiculous. What do you guys think?
This might sound stupid, but would there be a way to fix it? Maybe have the hole welded up and tapped for a later short style bolt or maybe even install head studs and have that one permanently installed or something? Likely not good for a nitrous or boosted car, but a head/cam N/A one?
Reason I'm asking is because if they don't want to mess with it, I was offered the block for scrap metal price. Being a cheap 02 block it would be better for a rebuild than my 98 block if the head bolt issue can be resolved.
The machine shop my friend took it to told him he couldn't get the bolt out, get a new block.
I think this sounds a little ridiculous. What do you guys think?
This might sound stupid, but would there be a way to fix it? Maybe have the hole welded up and tapped for a later short style bolt or maybe even install head studs and have that one permanently installed or something? Likely not good for a nitrous or boosted car, but a head/cam N/A one?
Reason I'm asking is because if they don't want to mess with it, I was offered the block for scrap metal price. Being a cheap 02 block it would be better for a rebuild than my 98 block if the head bolt issue can be resolved.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
Using a sleeve for guiding the drill bit, the bolt end can be drilled out, and new threads installed using the J-42385 thread tools/inserts, see attached.
Threads repaired like this using the steel thread insert are stronger than the original aluminum threads (some people replace all the threads with inserts).
Threads repaired like this using the steel thread insert are stronger than the original aluminum threads (some people replace all the threads with inserts).
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,358
Likes: 27
From: Northwest AR
I asked and he said they tried putting a drill on the milling machine but the bolt is broken with a jagged edge so the bit would walk.
I've heard of people dropping in sockets as a guide, but if its too jagged I don't know if that would work.
I guess the price will dictate whether I want to mess with it. Seems it would need to be under $100 or so to be worth messing with since I've seen blocks sell for $150-200 around here and down in Texas where I could easily get one.
I've heard of people dropping in sockets as a guide, but if its too jagged I don't know if that would work.
I guess the price will dictate whether I want to mess with it. Seems it would need to be under $100 or so to be worth messing with since I've seen blocks sell for $150-200 around here and down in Texas where I could easily get one.
This is not a difficult repair for a competent machine shop. The jagged edge can be machined flat then the bolt can be drilled out.
Shouldn't cost more than $100-$200.
Shane
Shouldn't cost more than $100-$200.
Shane
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
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
Launching!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 1
A friend has a 02 ls1 with a broke head bolt. One of the long bolts broke nearly all the way down in the hole and the previous owner just put the engine back together that way.
The machine shop my friend took it to told him he couldn't get the bolt out, get a new block.
I think this sounds a little ridiculous. What do you guys think?
This might sound stupid, but would there be a way to fix it? Maybe have the hole welded up and tapped for a later short style bolt or maybe even install head studs and have that one permanently installed or something? Likely not good for a nitrous or boosted car, but a head/cam N/A one?
Reason I'm asking is because if they don't want to mess with it, I was offered the block for scrap metal price. Being a cheap 02 block it would be better for a rebuild than my 98 block if the head bolt issue can be resolved.
The machine shop my friend took it to told him he couldn't get the bolt out, get a new block.
I think this sounds a little ridiculous. What do you guys think?
This might sound stupid, but would there be a way to fix it? Maybe have the hole welded up and tapped for a later short style bolt or maybe even install head studs and have that one permanently installed or something? Likely not good for a nitrous or boosted car, but a head/cam N/A one?
Reason I'm asking is because if they don't want to mess with it, I was offered the block for scrap metal price. Being a cheap 02 block it would be better for a rebuild than my 98 block if the head bolt issue can be resolved.
With that head bolt being broke the entire time, did the head gasket ever leak or car overheat?
