broken bolt

[dagenham]

It seems the bolt for the alternator bracket that goes thru the water pump broke off for whatever reason. Of course it couldn't break off with any sticking out to get a hold of, it had to break off into the block. Now to make matters worse the easy out broke off in the hole. Now I'm really screwed. Has anyone had this problem and how did you fix it??
Has anyone heated the block to remove a bolt and not had it crack or caused any other damage??? :x

 

[Asa]

1) take a torch to it, when it is nice and hot touch a candle to it, capillary action wicks the wax into the threads, should help lubricate it
normally you're supposed to get the piece red hot, but i'm not sure if that will damage anything or not....

2) drill out the easy out and completely drill out the bolts, then use a tap and die set to clean out the old threads or make new ones

 

[kukm66]

i just went through this same nightmare. The water pump bolt broke off due to rust and was completely fused into the block. The maching shop drilled out the block with a carbide bit which will deal make mince meat of the easy out. They had to heli-coil the hole.

So if you cannot get the bolt out, you might have to do this as a last resort.

 

[BENJENBROOKS]

Just had this issue on a friend's car, if you need to drill it out, use a masonry bit to get thru the hardened tool. then you can drill oversize and helicoil the hole.

Good luck

 

[1966Mustang]

I know this is an old topic, but Left handed twist drills are invaluable for drilling out sheared off bolts... Start small and work up, when you get a majority of the meat out, then try the easy outs. Sometimes you can get the bolt out with just the left twist bits....
i.e.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NYBJG

 

[dagenham]

Well, now that i am finally able to get back on the website and post again, I gave in and took the engine to the machine shop and they removed the bolt and had to install a helicoil in it.