All Small Six Broken Fitting Advice

[gserafini]

Hey all - so I had a rotten fitting coming out of the thermostat area. I went to unscrew it to replace and it broke off in my engine block.
Was trying to use these pipe fitting removers…but the thing won’t budge.
Anyone have tips or had to do this before?

 

[Engine Fan]

Hammer in a large enough torx bit an give it a try.

 

[DON]

Maybe you can get underneath and pry it away from the threads. Worst case scenario, a hack saw/ jig saw blade, cut it thru to the threads, then with a punch, fold the remains in and pull/twist out with needle nose pliers. It should be brass, so it will cut easy.

 

[gserafini]

Maybe you can get underneath and pry it away from the threads. Worst case scenario, a hack saw/ jig saw blade, cut it thru to the threads, then with a punch, fold the remains in and pull/twist out with needle nose pliers. It should be brass, so it will cut easy.

Good point, I just don’t want to destroy the threads inside the block trying to do that

 

[DON]

You might get a drill bit bigger than the fitting but smaller than the threads. Then pry it out.
Take advantage of it being soft metal

 

[comet6]

I've had luck using a small torch to heat the fitting up just until it burns off WD40 or something similar. Then hose it down with penetrant. Let it cool a little. This seems to wick the fluid into the threads and the expansion helps break it free

 

[gserafini]

Thanks all! Going to give it a shot tonight or tomorrow. Also does anyone know what this figment replacement part is called?

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, I use square ez outs like Napa CEXTRKIT for broken pipe fittings. The spiral type may be expanding the broken piece into the head. I would try the torx bit too. Good luck

 

[DON]

Thanks all! Going to give it a shot tonight or tomorrow. Also does anyone know what this figment replacement part is called?

It should be just a NPT fitting. Readily available at hardware and big box stores.
Probably 1/4 in if it was a temp sender. Maybe 1/2 in

 

[DON]

That’s pipe thread fittings. Just in case

 

[alwill923]

Old school way
get a diamond point chisel and cut a grove down to the threads. Then get a cape chisel and fold it in. Will come right out. That's how we did it in engine room on steam ships.

Don't worry about ruining the threads. Sealer will seal.

 

[gserafini]

Alright it was a little battle but I got it. Had to cut a couple grooves and finally I could break it all out. It didn’t want to fold and screw out at all. I did accidentally cut into the block threads just a little bit on one line, hopefully it isn’t that bad and will still seal. Thank you for all the good advice!
View attachment IMG_5994.mov

 

[DON]

Congrats!!
You might not need the elbow, just screw the sensor straight in. The elbow will have to be tightened till it is oriented properly. It doesn’t need a lot of torque. Maybe 10-15 ftlbs. Will make it easier coming out next time. A little silicone on the threads and it will seal.