Railroadman

This is actually for my '66 truck, but since a 283 is a 283 I figured I'd get good advice here. It's the original engine and I have no way of knowing whether the intake manifold has been off in its life or not.

I have one bolt on each side which won't come out and is rounded. The third bolt from the front on the left side, and the 2nd bolt from the front on the right. I have tried penetrating oil, giving a couple light raps with a hammer, and trying to shim the bolt head to allow the socket to stay on - none work.

I do have an acetylene torch. Am I going to cause warpage by applying heat to the bolts, or do some other type of damage? The intended 9/16th spins, 1/2 inch won't go on, and a metric does not seem to work either. The runners prevent getting a crescent wrench on them. Short of drilling them, I'm about out of ideas.

I'm sure somebody here has been in a similar situation - what's the best approach?

Thanks!

MikeM

Six point socket?

Stick weld a nut to the head of rounded off bolt and away you go!

66jack

buy one of these 'nut extractor's...

http://www.mscdirect.com/product/021...S&026=nv&025=c

midyearvette

...try a 6 point socket smashed over a bottle cap.....

skids

These are a must have!!

66jack

plastic or metal...

Railroadman

I don't have a welder here so initially that won't work

The extractors look like something good to have but sure not cheap. They will probably work and I'll put them on my "to buy" list.

The bottle cap idea is worth trying, I may have to raid the wife's various cooking oils or whatever to find a lightweight metal one.

If none work, I can see which of my buddies might have a small welder and try that nut idea.

Thanks - I'll post the results when I get somewhere with it.

wmf62

while it may seem obvious, weld the nut to the bolt head by 'plug welding' through the hole, not around the outside edges...

AND, the heat from welding should do wonders for loosening the bolt.


Bill

midyearvette

MGD caps......

Powershift

The welding technique using an extra nut or the bolt extractors shown are both excellent solutions. Either should work.

I believe that Sears also sold the same or similar extractors in their larger stores.

Larry

mark6669

By a set of Grip-Tite super sockets they will take out rounded bolts, bought mine at sears they were very cheap but work great.
Mark

Westlotorn

Sometimes if you switch from the 9/16 that already rounded the heads to a 14mm which is a hair smaller you can tap it on and make it work. 6 point for sure.
Some of the new tools offered sound promising if you don't have access to a welder.

Gary's '66

If the motor still runs you might try putting the other bolts back in, running up it to operating temp, shutting it off till heat soak sets in, and then try one of the removal methods suggested.

mashinter

That's what I used on a rounded exhaust manifold bolt. Hammered it on.

Chuck72

If you can get it to wiggle just a scoach, then get some PB or similar penetrant under the bolt head, it will find its way to the threaded area.
Heat, also, is a good thing, brute force is not.