Revelation222

I was using that cheap *** tool to compress the valve spring that uses a water pump bolt, socket, and washer and the damn bolt snaped off in the rocker arm bolt hole (on #5). It is flush with the hole and I cant fit my drill back there to tap it for removal.

What sould I do? Even when I could get the drill back there the bolt is so hard that its just making the bit slip off and hit the head.


Please let me know what to do. Thanks.

Tech

iTrader: (1)

Did a similar thing this weekend. Head is going to machine shop tomorrow.

JoeyGC5

iTrader: (24)

You can try to use a ***** punch and make a good base for the drill to start at. Or pull the head and do it on a bench, or have a machine shop do it.


I know how you feel, I snapped a bolt flush doing a spring swap with the heads for my vette, but I had the heads off the car.

Tally TransAm

iTrader: (17)

get an angle adapter for the drill and an easy out bolt extractor set

jmX

Use a dremmel with a cutoff wheel on it, slice a thin groove in the top of the bolt (you'll also cut a bit of the head, but thats fine as long as you dont cut much of it), then use a stubby flathead screwdriver in the groove to unscrew the leftover bolt portion.

01_SuperSlow

iTrader: (7)

Great idea

I broke 2 bolts flush when changing springs with the autozone tool. I took both of them out with a drill and an easy out. The bolts I used though, I had bought at the hardware store just for changing the springs.

LASTLS1

iTrader: (7)

Don't be lazy. Take head off. Center punch it and use a easy out. It should come out easy. All the tension is off of the bolt. Take your time, it should be easy. Good luck.

eallanboggs

iTrader: (1)

This makes the case for using a tool that compresses the spring by clamping it rather than a lever that uses the rocker bolt hole as a pivot.

c5blkvette

simple answer ...use a grade-8 bolt not some cheap-*** bolt from your local hardware store.

Scalpel

iTrader: (4)

This is why a stud should be used instead of factory bolts you have lying around.

A high tensile stud, grade 8 bolt, washer = no problems and it's only $25 shipped from Larry.

Just take the head off. Do it right the first time.

robertbartsch

I would remove the head and try an easy-out. (Short cuts always cause problems)

One other alternative would be to use an air angle drill like the ones sold at Harbor Freight Co. I would say this is risky and you probably will have to remove the head anyway...

Head removal is not hard; just take it one step at a time...

I suppose the alternative would be to only use seven cylinders...??

Revelation222

That a great idea. I'll give that a shot.

Revelation222

Well in hind sight I would have to say you are right. However the instructions for the tool stated to use a water pump bolt. I guess they should amend those, heh.

Scalpel

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, the water pump bolt would work in a pinch for 1 or 2 springs, IMO.

I would NOT use them for this tool. This is why Larry's tool comes with a high tensile strength stud.

Revelation222

Thank you so much, jmX. That dremel idea worked perfectly. Barely touched the head at all. You da man.

Revelation222

TTT for jmX.