1969 head advice
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
1969 head advice
Below is a pic of the original 69 427 setup. The bolt that looks like it is loose directly above the water pump pulley and to the right of the AIR pump is actually broken. The other end is stuck in the head. The motor has never been out of the car since factory and I noticed this while doing a rad repair and replacement.
What now? It is broken off even with the face of the head.
Another pic:
What now? It is broken off even with the face of the head.
Another pic:
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Jan 10, 2014 at 11:45 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
spray it with some good lube like jb80 .center punch it in the middle .drill it with a small drill bit to start .drill it out enough to use a easy out bit .or use a left handle tap and bolt to remove it .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,170
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From: Willoughby Ohio
Drilling it with left hand drill bit may walk it also if the fastener was not bottomed out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 60
From: CA
Your problem isn't an isolated instance. A lot of bolts broke in that location due to the Z-bar brace putting excess stress on the bolt. In late 1969, GM went to a little bit different arrangement to cure this problem. You can read more about it HERE, and make sure you get the late 1969-1974 brace when you get it all straightened out.
Ed
Ed
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
You can also take a nut, place it over the bolt hole then weld through the center of the nut, thus welding the old bolt to the nut. The heat will loosen the bolt and then just put a wrench to the nut and it will spin out.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
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From: BC
Thanks. I am going to give this one a shot. I do not want to pull the head off an original old motor and play around. Your idea sounds good. I tried an easy out this morning but it is either bottomed out or cross threaded in the block.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Seattle Washington
One of the reasons the welded on nut works so well is because the heat breaks everything loose. Then when the hot remaining portion of the bolt cools down it shrinks and will end up a smaller diameter than what it started out. If You don't have a way to weld it You can get both of these advantages buy just heating it and letting it cool. If You have already drilled a hole its that much better. Preferably You would use a acetylene torch and shoot the heat right down the hole, or just try what ever you have. You might be surprised at how much it shrinks when it cools. It might just about fall out.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Your problem isn't an isolated instance. A lot of bolts broke in that location due to the Z-bar brace putting excess stress on the bolt. In late 1969, GM went to a little bit different arrangement to cure this problem. You can read more about it HERE, and make sure you get the late 1969-1974 brace when you get it all straightened out.
Ed
Ed
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
One of the reasons the welded on nut works so well is because the heat breaks everything loose. Then when the hot remaining portion of the bolt cools down it shrinks and will end up a smaller diameter than what it started out. If You don't have a way to weld it You can get both of these advantages buy just heating it and letting it cool. If You have already drilled a hole its that much better. Preferably You would use a acetylene torch and shoot the heat right down the hole, or just try what ever you have. You might be surprised at how much it shrinks when it cools. It might just about fall out.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Take a Dremmel and cut a slot in the bolt.....
Heat with a MAPP torch and back it out with a screwdriver....
That is a bad place to try and drill and the weld/nut option may not work as the bolt is broke off recessed....
Jebby
Heat with a MAPP torch and back it out with a screwdriver....
That is a bad place to try and drill and the weld/nut option may not work as the bolt is broke off recessed....
Jebby
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: BC
Thanks Jeb. My plan is to take a piece of 1/4 inch pipe and cut a slot in it. Slide it in the bolt hole and weld it through the slot to the bolt with a mig. Cover the inside with material then try and back the bolt out while it's still hot. If it doesn't work I can still drill it but don't want to screw up this head.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Thanks Jeb. My plan is to take a piece of 1/4 inch pipe and cut a slot in it. Slide it in the bolt hole and weld it through the slot to the bolt with a mig. Cover the inside with material then try and back the bolt out while it's still hot. If it doesn't work I can still drill it but don't want to screw up this head.
I assume the reason you are there is to do some detailing?
I have a 427 myself and although it is a clean "patina" survivor...I will be detailing it in the near future......
Do you have a pic of your car?
Jebby
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: BC
My car is an original old 427. It has not been touched and still has the original AIR pump and still looks like it just came from the factory. The most important part is that my wife found it sitting on the side of the road and bought it. It's hers. The guy that owned it died and his wife actually put it out on the side of the road with a "for sale" sign in the window.....
The last pic is from her cellphone when she found it. Her first question that came with the pic was:
"You got an extra 30 grand because I just spent it and don't feel bad because they were asking forty". It was just sitting on the side of the road. Really nice old car. The seat foam was rotten so I ended up doing a complete interior. Even the original clock works. I have a few other Corvettes but this is by far the best thing I could ever hope for and my wife still thinks it's hers....
Can you imagine sitting at home and you get a text with that pic? I rented a trailer and met my wife in Vancouver and had more thumbs up on the way home that I can even remember. It costs her about six bucks each way just to drive to the grocery store which is less than 3 miles away but the smile is worth it. Really worth it.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Jan 12, 2014 at 01:02 AM.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Sure,
My car is an original old 427. It has not been touched and still has the original AIR pump and still looks like it just came from the factory. The most important part is that my wife found it sitting on the side of the road and bought it. It's hers. The guy that owned it died and his wife actually put it out on the side of the road with a "for sale" sign in the window.....
My car is an original old 427. It has not been touched and still has the original AIR pump and still looks like it just came from the factory. The most important part is that my wife found it sitting on the side of the road and bought it. It's hers. The guy that owned it died and his wife actually put it out on the side of the road with a "for sale" sign in the window.....
This is mine.....
Have fun with that...I have had mine a month and love it...traded a 66' 327/300 for it....
Jebby
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
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From: BC
Aw man.... You just can't get any better than that. Really nice. I would trade a kidney for that puppy and still come out with a smile.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC