corvey

I feel like the head bolt is about to twist in two trying to get it out. I'm almost certain it is. If the head bolts break off in the block I'm screwed (no pun intended)! I already bought new head bolts, but I'll never beable to tap the piece of bolt out of the block! What should I do?

mt_goat

Try rapping the bolt head with a good blow or two from a BFH and go in the tightening direction a little bit, then loosen.

If it does break off you'll have to drill out as much bolt diameter as possible without drilling the threads (that means you need to start drilling as close to the center of the broken bolt as possible) Then use an easyout to remove the thin remains of the bolt. If you can get the bolt remains thin enough they usually will come out easy enough. If you don't get the remains thin enough the easyout can break off too, then your really screwed because drilling an easyout is even harder.

thook

Relax...it's not that big of a deal. What motor are you working on?

corvey

v6 3vze.. I don't have a compressor for an impact wrech, I was trying to all the work without one. Should be using an impact to shock it out of there? I think they are going to twist right in two, this is gonna suck!

TACO626

Spray some lube and do the "tighten loosen" method.... good luck!

thook

NO....no impact wrench. I broke a headbolt before. There's a thread I started about it. Give me a minute find it. Be right back.

SEAIRESCUE

Its rusted in the threads. Get some PB blaster penetrating oil that has a rust dissolver...this it critical. Next, soak that bolt for a day then start pounging the top of the bolt to break it free. Then on to the tighten-loosen dance until it gives up. The pounding and ever so slight movement will break it free. Be patient and it will come out.

thook

Well, I found the thread, but alot of the info is irrelevant. No need for you to read the whole thing.

Try what's suggested first. If any break, you will have to do some drilling, but only so much as to drill the shoulder out of the bolt shaft. Before you drill, though, take the rest of the bolts loose in sequence. Drill the remaining broken ones down past the shoulder so that the bolt holes in the head will clear the shaft. The head will then just slide right up and off the remaining bolts. You may have to persuade the head a little, but it will come up. Then just take the broken bolts out.

I suppose all of this is in the event that the head of bolts break off flush...or near flush....to the surface. If the bolts break below the shoulder...even easier.

Now, there is a chance the head will warp, but it's unlikely and it DID NOT happen to me.

Post up on how it all goes. Any more questions, let us know.

thook

I should add if the bolt breaks below the shoulder all of the torque tension will be off the bolt making it a lot easier to get it out of the block. In fact, you may able to unscrew it/them by hand. Provided they aren't rusted. If so...well, PB blaster and an easy out and it will come out. You're not screwed. Just being challenged.

I should also add the headbolt threads are well below the head surface, so no need to worry about....if you have to drill....drilling into them.

OSU4Runner

Would heating it up with a torch help any? Just throwing suggestions out there

thook

You'd have to be able to actually target the block....which is impossible to get to it effectively. Plus, you'd be heating the head in a localized area running a risk of warpage.

corvey

I got'em out! It felt like something was twisting and it was, the extention broke clean in two!!!! So I'm glad none the bolts broke! Thanks for the suggestions guys.

thook

Haha....scary, isn't it? I remember that feeling.

Congratulations.

TACO626

Extension? Ahhhhh, scary

thook

I used one. It was a 1/2" GM Goodwrench...no prob's. I wonder...was "someone" using a 3/8's?

curtiswyant

Soak it in a load of PB blaster overnight. Loosen it 1/4, then go back a little, then loosen, then tighten etc. If it gets tight, just tighten it back a little then try again. Heat the bolt with a propane torch if necessary. Just take your time...it will be a lot better than trying to extract a snapped bolt from the block!

thook

Bumpin' Yota

hehehe now that's one mistake I didnt make!

Glad ya got the headbolts out!

thook

I made many, but that was not one I made either. I had to save my 3/8's for breaking on other bolts...hehe.