A FEW QUESTIONS ???

1. If I get the tractor running 'as is', what do you think my chances are that it will work OK and not leak coolant with that head bolt the way it is?

2. If I attempt to take off the head, any suggestions on removing the remaining bolts without suffering the same fate as the first guy did?

3. What is the best method of getting out the broken bolt (thinking the method might be different depending on where it snapped)?

Thanks for your help. Mike

I'm going to tell you about products my company sells that work well for this type application. I would appreciate your business, but, it won't hurt my feelings if you get these things elsewhere. If I can help you out, tell someone else.

We have a penetrant called "PB Blaster". It is the best penetrant I have seen personally. That's why we have it. I would saturate the broken bolt and the other bolts before trying to remove any of them.

In regard to the broken bolt, if it is not broken off too far down, (1/4" or less) It would be fairly easy to weld it out by building up the bolt with something like our #2200 and then welding a washer to the bead. Lastly, weld a nut to the washer and remove the broken stub before it cools completely. Using the right rod is important here as the threads need to fill with slag and not weld metal. I can give more details via e-mail if you want.

Secondly, if you don't feel comfortable welding it out, there are left hand drills and a couple of different styles of easy outs available. The left hand drills will sometimes break the bolt loose w/o using an easy out. We have all this if interested and I will provide a link to our site if you want to look at the 2200. http://www.usalloysweldtech.com
HTH,
Steve

• U.S. Alloys Co.

We find a lot of good items thru word of mouth and from testimonials from customers. I've also learned more about welding that way than I could learn in a classroom. Steve

IF you determine the engine is worth repairing, as Dave suggested it may not be, than I would try soaking the remaining bolts down with break-free, available at gun shops, if not at hardware stores, WD40, and other penatrants for a looooong period of time. Soak them, leave them, soak them leave them... I'd do this for at least a week. Some of the penatrant is likely to seep in, but not likely much. Others may have better advice.

As for getting the bolt out, I would try a reversed twisted drill bit. It will heat the bolt and often once heated, due to the direction of the twist on the bit, the bolt will come out.

If not, then you are left with using a helicoil to repair the threads, as you will have to use a drill bit as large as the bolt next to get it out. This will destroy the current threads.

There are systems other than helicoil, and some may even be better, perhaps someone else will have a better suggestion, but in want of a better method, this is what I would try. I hope all works out for you.

Lou