Possible Blown Head Gasket

I used to have a full TIS account. It's only $75 a month

 

See my post #57 of this thread...

 

Yo guys! Need some advice here. I'm finally down to taking my heads off. It's been a pain here and there, but now I've got a real problem.

I've stripped out one head bold trying to remove it. Is there a bolt extractor that is designed to work with these types of "recessed" bolt heads? Any and all advice is appreciated

 

You can try some of those stripped screw remover tools, but Probably going to have to drill it out and rethread it.

 

Not sure what the best course of action is for the stripped bolt. I'm sure others will chime in.

Btw, what tool are you using?

 

I have used tools like in this video before with some success. worst comes to worse you may have to get a small drill bit and drill a hole in the center of the broken screw, then keep redrilling it, increasing the size of the bits until your almost to the size of the bolt, then try to use a pick or something pull out the remaining thin walls of the screw. Then rethread it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMrDYJvY0Ts

 

Oh I thought you snapped it off. If you or a friend can weld, weld a nut to the head of it. Otherwise you'll use a stripped fastener socket pounded over the head of the fastener, or a burly pair of knipex pliers. might help to let it soak in some penetrating fluid for a day. -- if you use the socket method, consider an impact for removal. even an electric one from home depot/lowes.

I'm not experienced with the torch method, so I cant advise on that for further easing removal.

 

I got a CTA 9292... (10mm bi-hex)

 

Nope, not snapped off... yet haha! Just the interior "teeth" inside that recessed head are rounded out. Them damn things were TIGHT as a mofo too! I couldn't believe it

 

Yes, that is what I used. Sucks to hear that. I just remember the tool fitting snug so I just made sure that the bolt holes were cleaned out and that the tool was bottomed out in the head of the bolt.

 

Did'ja get this sorted? Might have some extra ideas for yuh if there're complications. I've botched a lot of things over the years

 

Nope haven't gotten past this yet, looking to buy an Irwin screw extractor set. Looks to be the best way to start. If that doesn't work, I'll get my buddy to bring over his welder and I'll weld the dang tool to the bolt.... luckily its on the very front of the head, so ive got an opening to the side of the bolt head. That's the PLAN... we know how that goes with mechanic work haha

 

Oh dang! I havent seen the head bolts to know if they were grab-able. It sounds like you've got the right idea. If you're using a drill type extractor: When you go to use the extractor, try to ding the bolt head dead center before drilling (I'm sure you know). As a last resort, you may be able to drill the head off of the bolt going one bit at a time, remove the other bolts, then slide the head up and off, grab the pesky thing with good pliers..

 

It's likely going to need to be drilled out. Nice thing is there's a washer under the head to protect the aluminum surface.

Best of luck.

 

This is the type of extractor I plan to use... think they call them multi spline bolt extractors

https://youtu.be/iDk2VE32UiU?si=AYbE4McOes8XlAIC

 

The amount of force needed to remove a head bolt I don’t see an extractor working. Especially with how small the bolt heads are.

 

Sometimes when you're all set up to do things the hard way.. it goes easy. Last time I did snapped exhaust stud extraction, some of those sh*ts broke loose and started tightening with a 3/16 drill bit maybe a half-inch deep. I tried to yank the bit out, but it wouldn't give.. I thought "No! Not in, damn it!" then I came to my senses and just reversed the drill
Others.. I drilled nearly down to just having threads on my bit. some, the extractor worked on. some I tapped a little off center and had to be reeeeaaal careful with. As yuh go, consider using some cutting fluid. as the shavings pile up, consider using a magnet to pull 'em out, and a rag or shop towel to wipe off the magnet. these little tricks serve to reduce likelihood of a bit snapping (or so I'm told) and keep you appraised of your progress.

I got my fingers crossed for you.

 

Wow! I was in complete and udder shock to find out a little while ago, that the Irwin extractor set I got did the trick... and did it EASILY too. I wound up with a rounded nut on the lower exhaust flange and too. So since I had 2 types of extractor needs... I got the "mail and female" type sets (1 for screws or spline bolts and another for rounded nut / bolt heads). Both sets worked perfectly and removed the jam I was in. If that did work on the bolt heads (and since someone said the Irwin set I got probably wouldn't work) I was already planning to buy a set of reverse cut drill bits to try next. I honestly thought I was "up a creek here, but I was saved. Haha

For me these were well worth the 100 bucks I spent on the 2 sets.

So now I've got my heads off, exhaust manifolds separated and just need to find a machine shop that can work my heads and valves. I'll get those dropped off and start cleaning up the block for the rebuild process. Won't lie though, getting real nervous about remembering how everything goes back together, and trying to not forget an O ring here, or a wire plug there, vacume hoses and ALL that stuff. Anyway, im pushing onward.

Oh yeah... these things ROCK!

 

Oh yeah, thought I would show the difference. The driver's side middle cylinder / piston. That's where my head gasket was leaking. Look how clean it is compared to the other. So glad I found this problem early before I did anymore damage to my engine. So word to the wise... dont ignore the little things you see, hear... notice or whatever about your ride. Get that chit checked on and fix it.

 

Glad to hear the extractor did the trick for you. Now I know what I can use if I ever get into a situation like that.

As far as reassembly goes, I'm sure you labeled and took pictures along the way like we all suggested right?