Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stripped Head Bolt advise......

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 02:03 PM
  #1  
Stroker2112's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Default Stripped Head Bolt advise......

Guys,

My #7 head bolt is stripped....and I can get a bolt extractor to bite....should I just cut the bolt off with a dremel? (tight space...might damage the aluminum seating too)...I don't have any welding equipment or acetyline torch...any other ideas?....

Stroker2112
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 02:08 PM
  #2  
madcrazy's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Columbus
Default

Originally Posted by Stroker2112
Guys,

My #7 head bolt is stripped....and I can get a bolt extractor to bite
Stroker2112
im guessing you mean you CAN'T get the extractor to bite? if so did you try drilling a pilot hole into the bolt?
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 02:15 PM
  #3  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Was this going in or coming out? Can you cut the head off the bolt, then pull the head? Might give more access to the bolt.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 02:31 PM
  #4  
DaddySS's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Default

What do you mean the bolt is stripped, the head rounded off, the threads are stripped, or you broke the bolt?
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 03:48 PM
  #5  
autotrix's Avatar
Closed ex-Sponsor Account
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
Default

Describe your situation in more detail for more help, not understanding what your exact problem is.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 03:50 PM
  #6  
jeffstar's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: ATX
Default

I have a lot of interest in this thread as well, I'm about to do a H/C swap and this is my first aluminum block project. Everything else before this was 2JZ or LT1 both Iron.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 03:59 PM
  #7  
Stroker2112's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Default

Sure, the bolt is stripped...in other words, a socket, extractor, vise-grip, etc...will not stay on the bolt. Originally it was a 13mm sized bolt head, now its somewhere in the neighborhood of lets say 11mm (with uneven sides). It's in a tight spot.....I cut out my exhaust header to get at it....but it still won't budged. I don't have clearance to drill a pilot hole...seriously thinking of cutting off the bolt head off at the risk of contacting/affecting the aluminum seating...
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 04:06 PM
  #8  
DaddySS's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Default

Ok, you rounded it off. That should be simple. Use your dremel tool to square it up as best you can then a. get one of those sockets with the needles in it that will conform to whatever the size is b. get one of the easy off sockets from sears made specifically for rounded off bolts c. get a 12 point socket that is the closes smaller size and hammer it on the head of the bolt. I've had good success with all three methods.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 06:19 PM
  #9  
72ChevelleConv.LS1's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Default

I like using next size down socket and hammering it onto the bolt then turning it out. Cutting it off would be my last hope.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 06:57 PM
  #10  
hammertime's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 2
From: Smithton, IL
Default

Originally Posted by Stroker2112
My #7 head bolt is stripped....and I can get a bolt extractor to bite
Originally Posted by DaddySS
b. get one of the easy off sockets from sears made specifically for rounded off bolts
If the easy off socket is what Stroker2112 is talking about, this coud be a tough removal. If you can't get one of those to bite, you may need to round of the bolt a little more to see if the next smaller easy off will work.

Otherwise, it's gonna be tough to hammer a smaller socket on there. Look at your hardware store for the closest 12-point, 8-point and or internal torx that you might be able to get to grab. Just gonna be tough to get that fastener broke loose!

Good luck & Take your time.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 09:23 PM
  #11  
Stroker2112's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Default

OK, Thanks, its good to hear what everone else has got to work before. I'll try it again either tomorrow or Sunday....dyno isn't for another 7 days... I bolted up a FLT level 5 4L65E instead of messing with the bolt... Once I get the harness, coolant lines, etc, back on...its back to the head bolt. Thanks again,

Stroker2112
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2006 | 02:36 PM
  #12  
Cop Car's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 0
From: Indy
Default

threads like this are why i say remove the motor
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2006 | 06:23 PM
  #13  
hazard2k's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Default

I am another believer in the bolt extractor sockets. They have a reverse sprial design on the inside so the more you try to loosen the bolt, the tighter it grabs. I have used them DOZENS of times and consider them one of my favorite tools.

The only draw back about them is trying to get the socket off the bolt once its removed.... They get stuck together pretty good. My trick is to get pissed and throw it across the room. Usually when it hits the wall or the floor they seperate Good luck with the install
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:11 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE