Broken bolt extractor in engine block

Patrick HMD · Jan 18, 2014

Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the pictures say it all. I guess I'm up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The only remedy I see is a very generous amount of gasket sealer in that general area, and hope that it will hold the water in, and just live with it. Suggestions? Anyone out there had this same problem? It's a heartbreaker.

TIA and best regards
Patrick
.49M

Tom Fleming · Jan 18, 2014

Well, there are a couple of approaches. One is to take an acetylene torch, and heat the easy-out to just cherry, then let it slowly cool, which will be a bit tough in that area (will require heating a larger area of the block so it doesn't heat-sink cool the easy out too fast). This will take the temper out of the easy-out and allow you to drill it out with normal HSS or Cobalt drill bits.

Other approach is to use a carbide or diamond bit.......and they are expensive.

In either case, you are going to have to cut new threads into the drilled out hole.

Tom Fleming · Jan 18, 2014

One last thought for others reading this thread, easy-out's are always at risk for this type of issue. They have their place, but I have gotten to the point, I just plain drill out broken bolts and re-thread.

There are a couple of other very effective ways to get broken bolts out, one is to weld a nut onto the protruding stub if it exists. The heat of the weld, and a new "purchase" on the bolt or stud often times works very well.

In any case, easy-out's should be used with extreme care. They are great when they are used correctly, and a real PITA when they break. 'nuff said.

kevinj54 · Jan 18, 2014

(quoted from post at 11:20:04 01/18/14) One last thought for others reading this thread, easy-out's are always at risk for this type of issue. They have their place, but I have gotten to the point, I just plain drill out broken bolts and re-thread.

There are a couple of other very effective ways to get broken bolts out, one is to weld a nut onto the protruding stub if it exists. The heat of the weld, and a new "purchase" on the bolt or stud often times works very well.

In any case, easy-out's should be used with extreme care. They are great when they are used correctly, and a real PITA when they break. 'nuff said.

Well said, I agree that if you break the bolt head off an easy out is of no value.

Best to drill it out when rusted like that one is.

Patrick HMD · Jan 18, 2014

Thanks for the advise gentlemen. It wasn't leaking when I first bought the tractor, and decided to leave it alone. It wasn't until I power brushed and repainted it that it started slowly weeping water. Lesson learned.

Best regards
Patrick
'49M

kevinj54 · Jan 18, 2014

Looking at the block it has leaked a long time. Best to just fix it right and you do not have any issues down the road.

Also be sure to apply a good anti seize to all bolt you may have to remove again!!!(wheels, stat housings, water pumps etc)

mkirsch · Jan 18, 2014

At Lowe's, in the drill section of the tool department, they have various small-diameter DIAMOND hole saws.

Get the diamond hole saw the same size as the nominal bolt size for that hole. If it's a 5/16" bolt, get the 5/16" hole saw, for example.

The hole guides the hole saw, and the hole saw drills out around the easy-out.

You'll have to thread the hole for the next size larger, but at least you'll have a bolt in the hole, and the easy-out is GONE!

Works slicker 'n snot.

Broken bolt extractor in engine block

Patrick HMD

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Tom Fleming

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Tom Fleming

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kevinj54

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Patrick HMD

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kevinj54

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mkirsch

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