Broken Head Bolt
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,953
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From: near Texas
Broken Head Bolt
wow, its been a while since ive been on here! Installing a head/cam package on my buddies '98 and the town moron snapped a head bolt off while removing the factory head. The remaining piece of the bolt seems to be about two inches below the surface of the block - can we drill it out like a normal bolt or is there any precautions/extra measures we need to take in order to protect the aluminum?
...I really wanna avoid pulling the block and taking it to the machine shop
any ideas?
[Modified by Vince383, 10:46 PM 3/31/2002]
...I really wanna avoid pulling the block and taking it to the machine shop
any ideas?
[Modified by Vince383, 10:46 PM 3/31/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Newland US
Re: Broken Head Bolt (Vince383)
Vince383,
Years ago, I helped a friend find the source of the "rattle" in his flat head Ford engine. (I said it was years ago.)
Anyway, we found a valve seat had loosened in the block and was rattling around on the valve stem. We got a guy from a local machine shop to come out on a house call...he brought the necessary tools to cut the block for an over size valve seat, hammered it in, lapped the valve and we were good to go. Only took him about 30 minutes. The charge was nominal.
Doubt seriouslythat you will find someone these days to do something like that, so there is a real possibility that you may have to tackle it yourself.
Good luck.
Mark
Years ago, I helped a friend find the source of the "rattle" in his flat head Ford engine. (I said it was years ago.)
Anyway, we found a valve seat had loosened in the block and was rattling around on the valve stem. We got a guy from a local machine shop to come out on a house call...he brought the necessary tools to cut the block for an over size valve seat, hammered it in, lapped the valve and we were good to go. Only took him about 30 minutes. The charge was nominal.
Doubt seriouslythat you will find someone these days to do something like that, so there is a real possibility that you may have to tackle it yourself.
Good luck.
Mark
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Portland OR
Re: Broken Head Bolt (Vince383)
This is bad, as if you didn't already know that. That it broke during removal means the threads are seized which dims the prospect that you could drill into the bolt and use an ezout. The service manual has a procedure for repairing the threads. There is a special kit with a guide plate, threaded inserts and other various pieces. The procedure makes no mention of what to do if the bolt is stuck in the block. I would try the ezout (extractor) first, machine shop if all else fails. Good luck.
ps The M11 head bolts are not reusable (10 per head).
[Modified by alc2001, 9:47 PM 3/31/2002]
ps The M11 head bolts are not reusable (10 per head).
[Modified by alc2001, 9:47 PM 3/31/2002]
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From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
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Re: Broken Head Bolt (Vince383)
Soak the remaining bolt in PB BLASTER. It is a good rust/corrosion blaster.
As long as the fastenerr was not cross threaded at assembly, there is a good chance after an overnight soak you can drill it & ez-out it. Use Ti coated drills. This will help start the center hole you drill and keep it from wandering off center. Start with as small a drill bit as you can. Centering the hole is important for the ez-out to grip evenly.
Good luck.................AND TAKE YOUR TIME!
As long as the fastenerr was not cross threaded at assembly, there is a good chance after an overnight soak you can drill it & ez-out it. Use Ti coated drills. This will help start the center hole you drill and keep it from wandering off center. Start with as small a drill bit as you can. Centering the hole is important for the ez-out to grip evenly.
Good luck.................AND TAKE YOUR TIME!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 0
Re: Broken Head Bolt (ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE)
1998's have a TSB for improperly machined heads or something. If your VIN matches you may be able to get a new engine. Lemme try to find the thread...
Looks like it's for an exhaust leak tho. Addresses the head more than the block threads. Worth a try maybe?
Here: http://www.ls1tech.com/ubb/cgi-bin/u...c;f=1;t=004336
[Modified by MelloYellow, 2:52 PM 4/7/2002]
Looks like it's for an exhaust leak tho. Addresses the head more than the block threads. Worth a try maybe?
Here: http://www.ls1tech.com/ubb/cgi-bin/u...c;f=1;t=004336
[Modified by MelloYellow, 2:52 PM 4/7/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 17,992
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Re: Broken Head Bolt
While learing my lesson on FT- LBS vs. IN-LBS, I snapped a bolt on a manifold. I didn't touch it, just took it to a machine shop. I picked it up a few hours later and the bolt was out for $20. They said I did the right thing by not messing with it before taking it to them. If you fail, then try to take it to a machine shop, it will be harder for them.
I would tow the car to a machine shop and have them do it.
Joel
I would tow the car to a machine shop and have them do it.
Joel
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Broken Head Bolt (MelloYellow)
1998's have a TSB for improperly machined heads or something. If your VIN matches you may be able to get a new engine. Lemme try to find the thread...
Looks like it's for an exhaust leak tho. Addresses the head more than the block threads. Worth a try maybe?
Here: http://www.ls1tech.com/ubb/cgi-bin/u...c;f=1;t=004336
[Modified by MelloYellow, 2:52 PM 4/7/2002]
Looks like it's for an exhaust leak tho. Addresses the head more than the block threads. Worth a try maybe?
Here: http://www.ls1tech.com/ubb/cgi-bin/u...c;f=1;t=004336
[Modified by MelloYellow, 2:52 PM 4/7/2002]
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Broken Head Bolt (MelloYellow)
I have done a lot of work on outboard motors. It is very difficult to remove a broken bolt from aluminum without the proper tools and jigs. Personally, I would talk to a machine shop and if they have the equipment I would flat bed it in. You don't want to be removing the block for the "other" reason. Good luck, hope it turns out OK.
