3000 radiator carriage bolt removal

Bikerider

Member
According to the NH parts listing, this is item number 14 and is a carriage bolt. I would like to be able to pull my radiator, but the nuts and bolts just turn and turn and never get loose. Can anyone tell me what is supposed to hold the carriage bolt head? I guess the best way to remove these is to torch them off and put new ones in. trying to figure out if there is some small flimsy tin holding the head.
 
Not much holds those heads... usually just the brass of the bottom tank. If you can't get them off, carefully torch the nuts off...

Rod
 

Thats what I was thinking. Thanks for the info. I hate to cut them off and find I have created a new problem to solve when putting it back together.
 

I thought about this and the nuts are pretty rusted and my fear is causing damage to what is holding the carriage bolt head. I will soak them with penetrating oil and give it a try, but its good to know I can cut them off and not create any issues.
 
The problem is that the square head of the bolt is slipping in the slot of the radiator. By prying upwards, it tightens up that joint, which makes it less likely to slip. Trust me, BTDT many times, and it works.
 

If you can get one off, you can usually slide the radiator over and off of the second bolt.

Be sure to use only new bolts and I coat mine with never sieze.

I guess you could also use brass nuts but I havent tried that.
 
Bern, Ultradog, Sotxbill,
Thanks for the good ideas. I will give them all a try. I'm sure thankful for forums like this that allow for some info gathering before you get yourself into a big problem while trying to fix a small one.
 
Agree, that will work many times; moreso when then bolt is not completely rusted. Many I've seen usually don't have rusted thread.

Rod
 
Don't know about your tractor, but on my 640 looking from the front, the bolt on the right goes through a hole, the one on the left slides in and out of slot not a hole.

I think that's right on which is which, I've slept since then.
 
radiator bolts.....clean the threads showing carefully and penetrant for days before the attempt.
Like said, a little up pry pressure helps.
I get my nose right down there and watch the threads carefully.
if I see them start to turn stop, and soak it more.

Carriage bolts...hate em
If there are enough threads showing, carefully grinding the tip square so you can hold it with second wrench works sometimes.
Also, sometimes you just can't get a cut-off wheel in some places.
But at an angle you can cut a angled slot into the nut.
Even if you can't cut all the way thru, it puts big heat into the nut. Quickly get your wrench on it then.
 

in most cases the torch will cut off the nut as there is the casting between the radiator and the flame. Set it hot, cut it quickly, dont fool around, and all will be fine. But they are a pain the in the backside and I always hate that portion of the buildout.
 
Nut breaker.


mvphoto24190.jpg
 

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