C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

1987 head removal

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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 05:24 PM
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Default 1987 head removal

ran into a snag.....apparently some moron has worked on the intake before and has most likely used the wrong torx bit and stripped some of the bolts.....how can i get them out?
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 06:16 PM
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It is going to be a very ugly job if you can not use a T-40 torx Bit or a T-45 to remove them.

Other method is to use a a very sharp Chisel & hammer.

Using the sharp chisel & hammer,
Strike the button head torx from the outside rim edge/ head to spin it loose.

Each of the Button Head T-40 torx fasteners will be destroyed,
But at least you will have the intake off.

BR
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 06:38 PM
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why not use a bolt extractor.... to the stripped TORX... hammer in.. and turn out as normal or you can drill the button top off... and use vice grips when the intake is removed

Last edited by THE 383 admiral; Jul 9, 2011 at 06:42 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 08:02 PM
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Im sorry I should have given a little more information. Its not the torx bolts that connect the intake to the head its the bolts for the plenum and runner. Its a t35 bolt but im coming to the conclusion that whoever has worked on it before me has tried to use a t30 torx bit. I know that t35's are kinda hard to find because i have had many folks ask to use mine. Somebodys half *** laziness has called me all this stress. I could have had the heads off by now.....all thats left is getting the intake a part and removing the fuel rails and pulling the rest of the intake and the heads.
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 08:14 PM
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Use a die grinder or even a hack saw blade, cut a deep slot across the bolt head. Use a flat blade screwdriver and remove bolts.

Joel
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 08:26 PM
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genius!!!! i use die grinders every day at work and that thought never even crossed my mind. Thanks joel!
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by joeld
Use a die grinder or even a hack saw blade, cut a deep slot across the bolt head. Use a flat blade screwdriver and remove bolts.

Joel
that method will never work on the lower plenum no way to get to the bolts... a few of the upper you could use a hack saw blade to slot
but the bolts are pretty tight and may not come out with a flat blade...
you can drill or use a extractor you can use a extension on the end of the extractor for hard to reach spots....
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 05:07 AM
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My first reaction to this problem is to suggest vise grips on the heads of the torx bolts. I don't think that would work because I don't think you could get enough clearance around the runners.

One solution I've seen is to weld a nut on the end of the bolt. Extreme, but it might be needed. The runners and plenum being aluminum might be a problem with this.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 06:38 AM
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use a impact driver, get a 1/4 inch extension and grind one end square so that it fits the torx fitting then using a hammer and some patience start tapping away, eventually they will come out, this is how I did mine.

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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by joeld
Use a die grinder or even a hack saw blade, cut a deep slot across the bolt head. Use a flat blade screwdriver and remove bolts.

Joel
When there is room, I have use a cut off wheel many times in the past followed by a screwdriver. The op can also try a larger sized torx bit and hammer it into the bolt. Sometimes that works.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 11:50 AM
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could always drill the torx part of the bolts off as a last resort
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:15 PM
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I should have mentioned this earlier
you can use allen bits on a socket... metic or standard for a tight fit... and remove as normal......
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