Bolt broke off in crank!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,992
Likes: 0
From: Henryville IN
Bolt broke off in crank!
Well putting the balancer back on after the timing chain was replaced the bolt from the balancer installer broke off in the crank! The bolt for the installer has a air bubble in the casting it seems and broke off right there. Looks like I pull the motor to get it out unless someone knows of a easier way to get it. Also I know a lot of the 327s didnt even have a bolt to hold on the harmonic balancer. Is this something I have to do right away or can I get away with holding off for a while? The balancer went on real hard and tight I couldnt tap it on with a hammer so I had to use the installer. Oh ya by the way its a 90 L98. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
bob, been there, done that, got the t-shirt. when mine happened, i got a centerpunch and was able to walk the broken pilot out enough to catch it with a pair of vicegrips, just go counterclockwise, the rest was easy. hope this helps
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 1
From: Geneseo Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06
Dear fellow 90 L-98 owner!
Hang in there! Geez, i would pass out if that happened to me. I wouldn't pull the engine, id try to get a left handed drill bit in there.
Let us know how it goes!
Hang in there! Geez, i would pass out if that happened to me. I wouldn't pull the engine, id try to get a left handed drill bit in there.
Let us know how it goes!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Drill the center of the bolt out as big as you can,,
start the drill hole with a center drill
then drill progressively larger one 1/16th or so at a time can,
and then try to put an EZ out in there and reverse it out,,,
start the drill hole with a center drill
then drill progressively larger one 1/16th or so at a time can,
and then try to put an EZ out in there and reverse it out,,,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,116
Likes: 3
I've had good luck with Sears Craftsman easy outs, the square kind with sharp edges. In my experience, they work better than the spiral type. Drill a hole for it with a reverse bit.
Don't feel bad, it's a rite of passage. Getting out a broken bolt is one of the many things that separates the car guys from the guys who just read car magazines.
Don't feel bad, it's a rite of passage. Getting out a broken bolt is one of the many things that separates the car guys from the guys who just read car magazines.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Sleazy may be correct.... but the ones I have are not case hardened and will drill pretty easily.
You will need to remove the radiator and tie up the condensor to be able to get in there to it.
You also may find it to be not very tight in the hole after it broke.
Try a hammer and the end of a sharp flatblade screwdriver to see if you can get it to turn (as sussgested above).
It may surprise you and come right out.
Not the end of the world in any case.
BTW you can get some really hard drill bits now. Can't think of what they are called irght at the moment. Theysell them at Home Depot.
What are those bits, guys. A couple of them is probably what he needs to use.
You will need to remove the radiator and tie up the condensor to be able to get in there to it.
You also may find it to be not very tight in the hole after it broke.
Try a hammer and the end of a sharp flatblade screwdriver to see if you can get it to turn (as sussgested above).
It may surprise you and come right out.
Not the end of the world in any case.
BTW you can get some really hard drill bits now. Can't think of what they are called irght at the moment. Theysell them at Home Depot.
What are those bits, guys. A couple of them is probably what he needs to use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Originally Posted by VetNutJim
Sleazy may be correct.... but the ones I have are not case hardened and will drill pretty easily.
You will need to remove the radiator and tie up the condensor to be able to get in there to it.
You also may find it to be not very tight in the hole after it broke.
Try a hammer and the end of a sharp flatblade screwdriver to see if you can get it to turn (as sussgested above).
It may surprise you and come right out.
Not the end of the world in any case.
BTW you can get some really hard drill bits now. Can't think of what they are called irght at the moment. Theysell them at Home Depot.
What are those bits, guys. A couple of them is probably what he needs to use.
You will need to remove the radiator and tie up the condensor to be able to get in there to it.
You also may find it to be not very tight in the hole after it broke.
Try a hammer and the end of a sharp flatblade screwdriver to see if you can get it to turn (as sussgested above).
It may surprise you and come right out.
Not the end of the world in any case.
BTW you can get some really hard drill bits now. Can't think of what they are called irght at the moment. Theysell them at Home Depot.
What are those bits, guys. A couple of them is probably what he needs to use.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
There's always a harder, more expensive metal.
If it's the install tool, I assume it broke from stretching and wasn't being screwed in like a hillbilly would install the balancer.
If thats the case, the threaads are probably in good shape, and it isn't deformed much in there, except at the thread that broke.
If it's the install tool, I assume it broke from stretching and wasn't being screwed in like a hillbilly would install the balancer.
If thats the case, the threaads are probably in good shape, and it isn't deformed much in there, except at the thread that broke.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,121
Likes: 224
From: Ca.
Originally Posted by VetNutJim
Sleazy may be correct.... but the ones I have are not case hardened and will drill pretty easily.
You will need to remove the radiator and tie up the condensor to be able to get in there to it.
You also may find it to be not very tight in the hole after it broke.
Try a hammer and the end of a sharp flatblade screwdriver to see if you can get it to turn (as sussgested above).
It may surprise you and come right out.
Not the end of the world in any case.
BTW you can get some really hard drill bits now. Can't think of what they are called irght at the moment. Theysell them at Home Depot.
What are those bits, guys. A couple of them is probably what he needs to use.
You will need to remove the radiator and tie up the condensor to be able to get in there to it.
You also may find it to be not very tight in the hole after it broke.
Try a hammer and the end of a sharp flatblade screwdriver to see if you can get it to turn (as sussgested above).
It may surprise you and come right out.
Not the end of the world in any case.
BTW you can get some really hard drill bits now. Can't think of what they are called irght at the moment. Theysell them at Home Depot.
What are those bits, guys. A couple of them is probably what he needs to use.
Actually you can get away with not tearing anything apart-A compressed air drill that looks more like a 3/8 air rachet fits just fine-yup, been there done that too!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,116
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by tjwong
If its an imported tool I doubt it would be a hardened bolt. Get a left hand drill bit as the previous member mentioned. It should come out relatively easy.