C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

HELP! bolt stripped

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 12:31 PM
  #1  
Swift_Striker's Avatar
Swift_Striker
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
Default HELP! bolt stripped

I need some advice on how to remove a stuck and stripper bolt from the base of the L98 manifold, everything was going well till the very last bolt on the intake . I tried vicegrips, then I squared the edges best I could then tried the grips again. I tried to JB-weld a nut onto the bolt but it didnt harden overnight. I tried an ez-out but it felt like it was about to break so I stopped... what can I do?
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 12:52 PM
  #2  
All2kool's Avatar
All2kool
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton Oregon
Default

If possible, use a Dremel to create a groove and remove with a screwdriver.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 12:58 PM
  #3  
pkazsr's Avatar
pkazsr
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by Swift_Striker
I need some advice on how to remove a stuck and stripper bolt from the base of the L98 manifold, everything was going well till the very last bolt on the intake . I tried vicegrips, then I squared the edges best I could then tried the grips again. I tried to JB-weld a nut onto the bolt but it didnt harden overnight. I tried an ez-out but it felt like it was about to break so I stopped... what can I do?
Just a thought. If you were to grind off the head of the bolt, could you get the manifold off? If so there should be enough of the bolt to get a good grip with vice-grips. Soak the bolt with "Aerokroil" Much better then WD-40.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 01:02 PM
  #4  
Swift_Striker's Avatar
Swift_Striker
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by pkazsr
Just a thought. If you were to grind off the head of the bolt, could you get the manifold off? If so there should be enough of the bolt to get a good grip with vice-grips. Soak the bolt with "Aerokroil" Much better then WD-40.
hmm good idea, it should come off, it's the verrrry last bolt on the base. not enough room to grind though, maybe a lil drilling.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 01:08 PM
  #5  
firstvetteRI's Avatar
firstvetteRI
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Exeter RI
Default

I received these as a gift, they're kinda gimacky, but they have worked for me as long as you can fit the tool in there.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 01:37 PM
  #6  
arizonaames269's Avatar
arizonaames269
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: Prescott Michigan
Default

If you can conjure up a welder, weld another bolt to the protusion. Worked for me in the past....
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 01:51 PM
  #7  
Googan's Avatar
Googan
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default

I always use a torch to heat the area the bolt is threaded into. I do this for about a few minutes. This makes the metal around it expand. Then I use a vice grip to get it out. It always works for me.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 02:28 PM
  #8  
Swift_Striker's Avatar
Swift_Striker
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by A.J.C
I always use a torch to heat the area the bolt is threaded into. I do this for about a few minutes. This makes the metal around it expand. Then I use a vice grip to get it out. It always works for me.
it's right near fuel lines though so I don't want to risk that, I'll try breaking the head off...
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 02:34 PM
  #9  
matrix040's Avatar
matrix040
Racer
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Centralia Illinois
Default

Drill a hole in the head and use an easy out bit. you can get them at ace or any parts store
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 02:42 PM
  #10  
firstvetteRI's Avatar
firstvetteRI
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Exeter RI
Default

I have broken every screw extractor I have ever bought..you know the kind that look like a reverse threaded drill bit. The craftsman ones that grab the outside the bolthead work. Of course, if you break the head off the bolt then you'll need to resort to head/welding/vice grips.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 05:31 PM
  #11  
DanZ51's Avatar
DanZ51
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
Default

I know you're concerned about the fuel lines, but unless you lines are rusty (leaking?) or you're using a cutting torch I wouldn't be (concerned).

Get a little MAPP torch up in there. Put a piece of tin (like an old license plate) between you flame and the fuel lines. Heat that bolt up then clamp the vise grips on it before it starts cooling. Don't crank it all at once, just start twisting it (wiggling it) back & forth until it breaks free.http://www.bernzomatic.com/bernzomat...rnzoProd100072

Last edited by DanZ51; Jan 6, 2008 at 05:33 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 08:36 PM
  #12  
EMBPILOT's Avatar
EMBPILOT
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: st. Louis MO
Default re

i agree with Dan, although the main goal of heat is to expand the manifold and not the bolt, with that in mind every little bit helps so I'd put the vise-grips on first to extract heat from the bolt to keep it cooler. Use MAP like Dan explained and it will come out no prob. Also go slow, wiggling first, use lots of oil on it too.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 09:25 PM
  #13  
biggrizzly's Avatar
biggrizzly
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

I don't know if you have the room to get an Impact Driver in there, but it will do the trick. I don't mean an impact wrench, I mean a manual impact driver. It would work even better with one of those nice new Craftsman gripper sockets and the impact driver. Just a thought.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 10:01 PM
  #14  
GIMMESOME's Avatar
GIMMESOME
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

Try this.It should be a torx head bolt,T-45 if I remember.Get the next size up,T-47 I think,with a 3/8 square drive.Put an extention on it and drive that into the striped out bolt with a hammer.Give it a couple of good wacks.You will ruin the torx bit,but so what.Jarring the bolt with the hammer will help loosen it.It should break free.Good luck.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 10:12 PM
  #15  
vetteguy216's Avatar
vetteguy216
Pro
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Oswego Illinois
Default

When this happended to me I used my dremel to cut off the head of the bolt and when the intake was removed it was alot easier to removed the bolt with some vice grips
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To HELP! bolt stripped





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:37 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE