Urgent Help!! 911! Bolt removal!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
Originally Posted by mike229
We cannot get this square plug out - it is STUCK - tried big cresent wrench, soaking in PB Blaster, and it just keeps stripping...
Any ideas??
Thanks!
Any ideas??
Thanks!
Can you say "Helicoil"?
-Mark.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Heat is good!
I've also had good luck with an impact wrench. If you have one (and a 12 point socket, I doubt you could get a 6 point on this) try gently hammering on the socket and using a lower removal setting on your wrench. You're more likely to wreck it by hitting it with the full removal force. What you're looking for is prolonged hammering from the wrench. A lot of times the impacts will loosen a very stuck bolt.
Otherwise, Mark is right, "hello helicoil."
I've also had good luck with an impact wrench. If you have one (and a 12 point socket, I doubt you could get a 6 point on this) try gently hammering on the socket and using a lower removal setting on your wrench. You're more likely to wreck it by hitting it with the full removal force. What you're looking for is prolonged hammering from the wrench. A lot of times the impacts will loosen a very stuck bolt.
Otherwise, Mark is right, "hello helicoil."
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by 88'Cubka
you need an 8 point for a square plug :P
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: chicago south burbs IL
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
You're right, 8 point is better, but I doubt too many people have 8 point impact sockets. I don't think that I even have any 8 point regulars.
a 16 point will work too
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: barkhamsted ct
take your oxy-acetelyene torch and head it cherry red, QUICKLY, let it cool naturally, and it should take less force to remove.
dont wreck your alum manifold in the process!
i do this on steel to steel and it works great. never did it on a manifold, though.
-85% jimmy
dont wreck your alum manifold in the process!
i do this on steel to steel and it works great. never did it on a manifold, though.
-85% jimmy
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Long Grove, IL
Originally Posted by mike229
...tried big cresent wrench...
Crescent wrenches SUCK for anything that are stuck like that small plug. You can never get the adjustable jaw tight enough - as you have discovered.
Sockes, pipe wrench or vice grips are all better choices in this case.
In any event glad to hear that you were able to remove the plug with no damage to the intake.
Regards,
Jay
