Broken Tap
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Alabama
Broken Tap
Well i had a stripped out exhaust bolt and drilled and tapped it. Well the tap broke while i was removing it. Has anyone had this happen. Can i get it out with a set of left haned bits and extractors? Thanks in advance
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 156
From: Miami, FL
I've been there... on a MGB. I tried everything except a water jet. It was a threaded stud, so I ended up cutting one in half then welding it over the top of the tap. It was not in my engine block but on a exhaust manifold.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,258
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From: Huntsville Alabama
mines in the head on the exhaust so im hoping i can get it out with the bits and a extractor. it was not that bad i was at the very end had to run the tap by hand and the when i backed it out it felt like it was getting stuck so i ran it back in and then backing it out it seemed fine until it broke.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The tap is hard so the drill wont work unless it just happens to spin it out.If you can make something to slide in the flutes you might be able to spin it. The tap is hard and brittle,I have used a punch before to break the tap into pieces as long as not too much is left inside.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
The tap is hard so the drill wont work unless it just happens to spin it out.If you can make something to slide in the flutes you might be able to spin it. The tap is hard and brittle,I have used a punch before to break the tap into pieces as long as not too much is left inside.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Alabama
my left handed bits are titanium coated so im hopeing i can drill it. Its not a big deal if i mess the threads back up I have another tap the same size and a bunch of helicoils to fix it. What about taking a propane torch to it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
The tap is hard so the drill wont work unless it just happens to spin it out.If you can make something to slide in the flutes you might be able to spin it. The tap is hard and brittle,I have used a punch before to break the tap into pieces as long as not too much is left inside.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 189
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
A dremel is good,, basically the same as a pencil grinder, the bur must be of very good quality,, carbide is a must, dip the bur in wax once in a while to lengthen its life, also don't let the bur over heat, control the speed. good luck 
Tape extractors don't don't have a high success ratio, they are sometimes to delicate.
Tape extractors don't don't have a high success ratio, they are sometimes to delicate.
Last edited by Michel B; Dec 9, 2007 at 09:07 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
The tap is hard so the drill wont work unless it just happens to spin it out.If you can make something to slide in the flutes you might be able to spin it. The tap is hard and brittle,I have used a punch before to break the tap into pieces as long as not too much is left inside.
But it helps to heat the remaining piece of the tap with an acetylete torch with a fine tip on the torch. Try to keep the heat focused on the tap, this will take the temper out of the metal ( soften it ) and make it easier to remove either with a fine point chisel or by drilling out , but if you try to drill it make sure it is cool before drilling. I have removed many pieces this way without hurting the threads. Since there is very little of the tap remaining, this should work.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,258
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From: Huntsville Alabama
would a propane torch work. I think im gonna try the dremel. The drill is too hard to try and get in the tight area between the head and fender well thats using my 90 degree drill with the bits. I have the high speed cutters for the dremel so i will give it a try in the morning and see what happens.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 13
From: Carlstadt NJ
EDM is the best way, I do it all the time at my shop. The tap is way to hard to drill if it is a good one. The drill will walk and attack the softer metal around it Burning it out won't cost all that much. If you can bring the part to a machine shop, with set-up and burn time should not be more than an hour.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Alabama
would this work using the dremel
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...94883-353-9931
read the above every thing is in the car. I do not and will not disassemble this motor. Its only a year old. The tap is the one that comes in the helicoil kits that you get at advance auto parts. stamped made in china in big letters on it.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...94883-353-9931
read the above every thing is in the car. I do not and will not disassemble this motor. Its only a year old. The tap is the one that comes in the helicoil kits that you get at advance auto parts. stamped made in china in big letters on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
A good punch will break up the tap, use a air hose to blow out the broken chips. Use a mirror to look into the hole to make sure it's clear.