Broken bolt

[ddaniels]

Does anybody have any recomendations for removing a valve cover bolt that's broke off? There's about 3/8" of the broken half still sticking up out of the head. I tried vice grips with no luck. It's torqued in there good. Thanks for any help.

[posplayr]

use some penetrating oil for a few days.
Use some heat from a propane torch
and cut a groove in it with a hacksaw so you can hit it with a impact wrench after doing the above.

[ddaniels]

Don't have the impact wrench. But I'll get some penetrating oil for sure and soak it for a few days.

[posplayr]

Don't have the impact wrench. But I'll get some penetrating oil for sure and soak it for a few days.

should have said Impact driver like this; they are cheap.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93481

[smagnusen]

I agree with the impact tool, with a slit cut you can use an imact screwdriver, available for around $12 at any auto parts store, and an invaluable tool for working these old screws.

[ddaniels]

should have said Impact driver like this; they are cheap.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93481

Ahh, I do have one of those. I'm a little leary about chipping off one side of the new slot in the bolt though.

[ddaniels]

The other thing is that the bolt is right under the frame and I don't know if I have enough room to get a whack at it.

[ddaniels]

By the way, I did not break the bolt. I was removing the valve cover to do a valve adjustment and discovered the PO had just put the other half in the hole and smeared permatex all over it and all over the edge of the cover on the inside with hopes of keeping it from leaking. Didn't work. Also, you should have seen the globs of permatex that was covering the half moons underneath the chrome covers. What a mess! Now I just have to try and find a manual so I know what to set the valve spacings at.

[posplayr]

The other thing is that the bolt is right under the frame and I don't know if I have enough room to get a whack at it.

Next best thing might be a screw driver end for a ratchet.

[ddaniels]

Another good idea. Thanks.

[1948man]

PB Blaster is good at penetrating in there and loosening up bolts. It kind of wicks into the threads.

[spindle]

Soak it with PB Blaster and tap it with a hammer to work the oil in. I had 3 bolts snap off on my 1st valve adjustment. Sears makes a set of damaged bolt removers http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+removal I was able to sneak a long extension through the frame and use a ratchet to back the bolt out.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Might try a small pair of vice grips

[ShortyzKustomz]

Like other have said, try cutting a slot, even without an impact, a real nice flat head thats nice and wide and a wrench on that broke loose cross-threaded trans mount bolts in my old car... If not drill a small hole and use an bolt/screw extractor

[duaneage]

Buy a left handed drill bit. Sometimes they pull the part right out.