Bits and bolts

[Quickstop [UK]]

Hey guys,

last weekend I took of the exhaust manifold and the turbo, and in the process destroyed a lot of the studs that were in the exhaust system. Also, I had difficulty with a bolt on the exhaust manifold.

How can I salvage the manifold?

Thankfully I had a couple of spares from an older, broken turbo , but now I have nothing.

I am planning on removing the exhaust (Again) to fix a turbo leak and put in a gasket there, but I would love the peace of mind knowing I have some spare bolts/ studs.

Where can I get these from? Would someone be able to send me a bag of them?

I am after any consumables that I will require for when my 2800 stall arrives (hopefully in the next few days).

GMC spares are impossible to buy here and I need the truck running.

Can anyone help me out over here? :tup:

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Don W.]

Re: Bits and bolts

Do you have a torch? First drill for an easy-out. The heat the stud (not the manifold) and let it cool, Then use the easy out.:2cents: I've seen it done but never on a SyTy manifold. No guarantee.

 

[ty166]

Re: Bits and bolts

i work in a machine shop and there is a machine called a metal disinegrator (? on the speeling) but when set used properly it can burn out a bolt in a threaded hole perfectly and leave the threads perfect. i had a broken bolt in a intake and when it was done i ran a tap down it and you could never tell it was done. or check a local machine shop with a brigdeport and have then run a end mill down it . problem with drilling and easy out i found is the studs are either stainless or hardened sometines, so drilling a straight hole for a easy out can be hard. or ship it to the states ill take it to work and have them burn it out.. shipping would kill you....... but you'll never know the diffrence.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Bits and bolts

Very interesting, I still think my idea would work if he's got a torch. I'll try to check with a guy at work who's pretty sharp and see what he has to say.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Bits and bolts

thanks for the suggestions guys!

As far as shipping the manifolds to the US, that would be prohibitively expensive - I'm prob better buying a new manifold or just making a custom set of headers. The machine sounds interesting though :tup:

Looks like I am going to have to get serious with the easy out and a blow torch. Will one of those small portable ones (butane) be ok or do I need an oxyaxcetylene torch? Not sure of the heat required.

I've drilled the hole out a bit more so I hope the easy out works!

Any luck with the spare bolts etc etc? It is just so hard to get GMC components over here.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[James Thomas]

Re: Bits and bolts

You can try the blow torch but it's gonna be a 50 / 50 shot at working cause it just won't get hot enough fast enough. You want to "shock" it with heat to break the rust. If you have a buddy with a drill press and a regular cutting torch, try this first. Heat the area around the bolt hole to a dull red, you want to expand the hole not the broken stud. Next, have on hand some parafin wax like for sealing mason jars for home canning or pure bee's wax (most candle stores) and put it to the heated hole. The heat will melt and draw in the wax and penetrate the rust. Let it cool then drill it with the drill press so it's dead on and doesn't slip or get off center and damage the threads, be sure to drill all the way through. Heat again, insert easy out and it will usually remove.

DO NOT BREAK THE EASYOUT OFF IN THE HOLE! It's hardened steel and will be a bitch to drill, if you do break it, you will be glade you drilled the hole all the way through because you can knock it out from the other side with a punch (won't work on blind holes though). If it still won't budge, heat and repeat up to several times.

Still no dice? Take it to a machine shop to have it removed by a pro cause it cheaper than screwing up a good manifold plus shipping, plus the wait to get it!

____________
James

 

[Don W.]

Re: Bits and bolts

Prolly out by now but here's another idea from the welder at work. Take a nut that is the size of the stud, set it on the manifold over the broken stud and weld the nut to the stud. (Not the manifold of course.) Carefully heat the manifold to get it away from the stud so-to-speak and wrench out the stud. Interesting idea, hopefully I'll never have to try it...

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Bits and bolts

I think I messed up. I drilled the stud but now the hole is as wide as the stud almost, so the only bit not drilled out is the thread. I tried clearing it with all sorts but am thinking that maybe I am onto a loser.

I will keep the manifold but maybe make a new header and only use this in an emergency.

I just got new shocks and a new stall converter - another big job!!!

Cars rock.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Bits and bolts

If you're at that point then I'd suggest a product like HeliCoil thread repair. A special sized drill bit and tap creates a threaded hole for the HeliCoil which, when inserted, brings the thread back to its original size. Also if the threads in the manifold itself aren't damaged (or only slightly damaged), you've just drilled out to them you might try removing the remaining material by hand. Tedious but doable.

http://www.emhart.com/products/helicoil/repkit.asp

 

[James Thomas]

Re: Bits and bolts

I think the UK version is called "Re-Coil" and may be easier for you to find localy???

____________
James

 

[Fin[uk]]

Re: Bits and bolts

Any local Machine Shop will sort it out in about 5 mins. Heli-Coil it. You have already done the hard work

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Bits and bolts

Hmm.

Fin - you know anyone near you? I don't know anyone round here - what kind of machine shop?

Don W - thanks. The heli coil kit is impressive. Saw one on ebay....might get it.

James - thanks for the steer

Cheers