Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. Thank you.
|
Broken thermostat housing bolt |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
CamJam
Moderator Group Joined: Jan/04/2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 6548 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: Jan/11/2018 at 11:24am |
Head of one of the bolts on my thermostat housing twisted off when I tried to remove it. I've been soaking what's left with PB Blaster, but I doubt that an Ez-out is going to even touch it. I guess that means I'm going to have to drill it out. Any ideas for how to go about this without damaging the threads in the intake manifold? It's the factory steel intake.
|
|
'73 Javelin 360 (current project)
'72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST '69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD |
|
AMC RICK 401
AMC Apprentice Joined: Aug/06/2014 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 207 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Is there any of the bolt sticking up above the manifold?
you can weld a nut on it and the heat will usually help it to come out. Try that before drilling |
|
1969 SC Rambler
1974 Jeep CJ5 Dirt/Sand Drag Racer w/401 TH400 Tube Chassis Dirt/Sand Drag Racer w/401 Powerglide "We are not here for a long time but we are here for a good time" |
|
CamJam
Moderator Group Joined: Jan/04/2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 6548 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yes, there will be a little bit of the bolt left sticking up once I remove the thermostat housing. I don't weld, but that's a really good idea. I can probably find someone to weld a nut on there for me. Thanks Rick!
|
|
'73 Javelin 360 (current project)
'72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST '69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD |
|
FSJunkie
AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2011 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4742 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I wouldn't mess with it with the intake manifold installed. I promise you the drill bit will slip off and start chewing through the manifold instead of the bolt. Pull the manifold, take it to a machine shop. They can lock it in Bridgeport mill.
|
|
1955 Packard
1966 Marlin 1972 Wagoneer 1973 Ambassador 1977 Hornet 1982 Concord D/L 1984 Eagle Limited |
|
kirkwood
Moderator Group Charter Member Joined: Jun/28/2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Status: Offline Points: 6567 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
i had one break off last year and thought i was out of luck... i took a propane torch and heated up the intake around it and was able to back it out since it had a little bit of material left. I can't remember how I grabbed it - i might have even used a dremel to cut a slot the seat a screwdriver in and back it out.
|
|
AMO Newsletter Editor
|
|
6PakBee
Supporter of TheAMCForum Charter Member Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 5457 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The two biggest problems with drilling out bolts is 1) finding exact center and 2) drilling perpendicular to the bolt. For the first what I've done is use a transfer punch. If the bolt is below the surface get a punch that is snug. If some of the bolt protrudes, use a nut as a guide and then use a transfer punch. For the second, start with a small bit, like an 1/8", and then drill in steps eyeballing the drill to keep things lined up. That's been my experience FWIW. |
|
Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler 1970 RWB 4-spd Machine 1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX All project cars. Forum Cockroach |
|
THE MENACE
AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/04/2008 Location: So. California Status: Offline Points: 4438 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
X2 what Rick said!! Been there done that more than once! |
|
Former Owner of:
The Craig Breedlove "AERO AMX" Still Owner: SS/AMX #9 replica (THE BIG MENACE) 70 AMX 416, EFI, Nash 5 speed 70 Javelin 401, 727 (Wife's car) 72 Gremlin Autocross Project. |
|
S Curry
AMC Addicted Joined: Aug/16/2012 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 598 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Drill and ez out very seldom work. Even getting the hole drilled, you slam an EZ out in the hole and you swell the bolt in even tighter. Weld the nut trick works. There is another way but it is the last resort....
|
|
SC
|
|
bigbad69
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/02/2007 Location: Ottawa, Ont. Status: Offline Points: 6670 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Bolt the thermostat housing on and use it as a drill guide with a bushing around the drill bit. The outer diameter of the bushing should be equal to the inner diameter of the eye on the housing. The inner diameter of the bushing should be equal to the drill diameter. This will keep the drill bit centred and square on the busted bolt.
You will want to start with a small bit and work your way up to the minor diameter of the bolt. That will leave all the threads in the intake intact, and you can chase them with a bottoming tap. Just be sure to take a depth measurement and mark the drill bit so you don't drill too deep. Even if you do damage the threads, you can still go a little oversize and install a Heli-coil. I used this method on a busted exhaust manifold bolt (SBC) last summer. Worked like a charm, and I never had to pull the head. |
|
69 Javelin SST BBO 390 T10
|
|
69BBB3904spAMX
AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jun/29/2007 Location: San Jose, CA Status: Offline Points: 2761 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
X3 weld a nut on it
|
|
37 Ford Tudor 60 hp V8 flathead, all original, never restored
69BBB3904spAMX 70 Camaro 1st car 74 Hornet Hatch 6 cyl floor/auto 2007,2008,2009 PT Cruisers Aluminum Deck Car Trailer |
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |