Head Bolts

[tjsutton]

I am in process of tearing the head off my 3sfe, and one of the 8mm head bolts is rounded out bad enough that I partly rounded my allen trying to get it loose. Thought about an easy out or something, but it seems with that kind of torque, I'll just end up trying to dig out a broken easy-out... Any suggestions would be very much appreciated...

[Smar969905]

get a dremel or other small tool like that with a cutting wheel, then cut the sides off and make it a smaller head, but able to use a socket or wrench on it again. while you are at it, use the same cutting wheel and cut in a groove on the top of the bolt to put in a flathead screw driver, then use the screwdriver and wrench together to get the bolt out. when finished, throw the bolt away and get a new one to replace it.

[ThomasToTots]

Pardon me for being dumb. What 8mm bolts? I remember 30mm for valve cover and 12mm (I think) 12 point head bolts under the came. the cam bearings were 10mm . In fact the only 8mm I remember is off a hose gasket. Please refresh my memory?

[Doctor J]

To Thomas: The head bolts have internal hex to be removed with 8 mm Allen key

If easy out fragments are removed, get 1/2 insh M42 (tungsten -moly) drill bit, apply wheel bearing grease around the bolt head then drill the bolt head off.Next, remove the rest of the bolts and pull the head straight up to clear the disabled bolt. Once head is off , remove bolt with the pipe wrench , grip it close to the block. IF BOLT WAS NOT CROSSTHREADED IT CAN BE REMOVED WITH MINIMAL EFFORT, BECAUSE THE BOLT'S HEAD TO CYLINDER HEAD FRICTION IS WHAT THE KEEPS THE BOLT TIGHT.

[tjsutton]

Thanks man, sounds like you've done this a time or two. I wasn't sure if the head bolt going through the head was threaded at all or not. Sounds like not, so I am far less worried about breaking an easy-out off inside the bolt head. I will update to let everyone know how it goes...