Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

HELP...broke a bolt!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 11:33 PM
  #1  
gtp6515's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default HELP...broke a bolt!

In the middle of getting my car ready far a new cam, I rounded out one of the t-40 cam retainer bolts. Drilled a hole for an extractor, and snapped that off in there as well. I feel f'ed. I tried drilling again, and the extractor is so hard that I cannot touch it. I am at a loss right now. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 12:53 AM
  #2  
lil john's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
Default

I really couldn't say but soak it well and try,try, and try again,don't get fed up...also heat that B@#*! up to give that little crapper more expansion room to work with,had a bolt on a little toyota quite a few years back do the same thing I just kept F@#*ing with it took a whole weekend. You have to stay persistent or as they say: You might pay a little or you may pay a lot. But believe me you gonna pay something! Diamond tip drill bit!

Last edited by lil john; Jul 9, 2013 at 02:07 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 01:13 AM
  #3  
01WS6/tamu's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,123
Likes: 76
From: somewhere in TX
Default

Take a torch with softflame or a propane torch and heat the bolt and then grab it with a pair of vicegrips. Heat the bolt up a good bit and the loctite will release and then it'll come right out.

The above is under normal circumstance's however the ease out could expand the bolt in the hole then you be screwed.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 04:18 AM
  #4  
LS1MCSS's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,831
Likes: 8
From: Dover, Arkansas
Default

OP said it's a T-40, which means it's the newer torx head cam retainer bolts. There isn't anything to heat and grab. With the broken ease out in there, this will be a problem that may not have a good ending.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 05:14 AM
  #5  
lemons12's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (71)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,088
Likes: 2
From: Winchester, TN
Default

Weld another piece of metal onto the bolt where it broke off and try turning it.. Good thing about this is you could do it several times if need be.

Take a something small and put it inside the head of the bolt.. Hit it with a hammer and see if it will turn. This would be a PITA.

My question... How did you round it off? That is something I would be incredibly careful with.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 08:31 AM
  #6  
gtp6515's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

I barely turned on the t-40 head and it instantly rounded. Had the happen the last time as well, but had no issue getting it out. The bolt and extractor are countersunk. Tried to post a pick with no luck. Not too computer savvy.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 09:05 AM
  #7  
maroonls1z's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
Default

If you can get the retaining plate off (may have to cut it and get a new one but they are cheap) you should have something you can get ahold of with pliers/vise grips
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 10:32 AM
  #8  
87silverbullet's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,873
Likes: 8
From: Slidell,LA
Default

Take a cutoff wheel and score a groove in the head of the bolt then try to take a big *** flat blade screwdiver to back the screw out.

If you can do like lemons said and try to weld another bolt on top of it and back it out that way.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 11:07 AM
  #9  
lil john's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
Default

Lemons & 87 S.B. suggestion is your best bet if all else fails.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 11:12 AM
  #10  
Winchtime's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

Before using an easy-out, I like to try a left-handed drill bit. Your best bet now is welding a wrenchable surface to the bolt
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 12:45 PM
  #11  
handyandy496's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 3
From: florida
Default

The easyout is hard..find a slightly smaller in dia hardened punch or any small die punches. Hang on to it with vise grips... put the hard steel agaist the easyout and sharply hit with a steel sledge. your punch may brake(wear eye protection)but so should the easyout. keep at It till its shatters. piece by piece if you have to. use Chinese easyouts in the future. There softer.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 07:54 PM
  #12  
gtp6515's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

Originally Posted by bozzhawg
When you rounded out the head of the bolt, were you in the process of removing the bolt or installing the bolt?

My next question is, is this the first cam install or the second cam install?
I was removing it. After looking at my t-40, it looks slightly twisted. This is my 3rd swap.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 08:02 PM
  #13  
gtp6515's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

Originally Posted by bozzhawg
Did you are anyone use red loctite on those bolts?
I dont recall. I try to only use blue if any. If I jack the threads, is tapping an option?
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 08:10 PM
  #14  
td1168's Avatar
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 3
From: Uniontown, Pa.
Default

Tack weld a nut to it. Easy outs are the worst thing in the world because they are very hard and brittle. Wish I lived close. Mig weld a 5/16-18 nut to it and it will come out. Nice thing too is that if the bolt is loc-tited the heat from welding will loosen the loc-tite up.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 08:49 PM
  #15  
01 Vert ws6's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Toms River NJ
Default

just use a carbide drill or use a dremel cut a slit in it and use a flat head screwdriver in it, if you twist another one get a allen wrench and hammer it in and turn it out
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2013 | 01:08 AM
  #16  
CAMSTER's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: Miami gardens FL 33055
Default

Welcome to the class room of the school of hard knocks, you seen to managed a front road seat. Good luck to you patience pays, you can do it, you will find getting smart is the must powerful leverage we can employ.
I have lots of respect for red locktite so I use blue on only 3 treads and never at the end of the bolt.

Last edited by CAMSTER; Jul 19, 2013 at 10:40 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2013 | 04:20 PM
  #17  
gtp6515's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

Bolt is out. No damage done. Nut welded to the end. Thanks for all the suggestions. I can breathe now.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2013 | 08:57 PM
  #18  
99wssixm6's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Winter Park FL.
Default

Good top hear! I was going to comment that the welding trick always works well. Alot of guys dont know that if you weld the inside of a small nut like a 5/16 that was suggested in a above post the weld will only bond with the steel of the broken bolt and not the aluminum of the block/head/...
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:42 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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