not my weekend... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Broken_down? · 03-15-2004, 02:32 AM

So this weekend on the way home from Susanville CA, about 10 miles form my house on the backroad called " Cherokee" road. Anyone that lives near here knows that taking a truck like these is rissky business.. a 2 lane road, and my truck takes my lane + half the other one..lol beatiful drive but a huge drop into the canyon if you screw up. Anyhow upto the top coming down I look at my temp gauge and it is running half way. so I found a place in some guys driveway to pull over and look and the altinator is wobbling. I shut her down and noticed the bottom bolt had come loose. no biggie. Untill I looked close and found my bolt had snapped off.

now my water pump and altinator in not pumping. SO afetr fiddling round I got it to work with the belt loose but enough to turn the pump and alt. so I have to drill the bolt out of the head. And re-tap the bolt hole. what size is the alt bolt for a 71 350 SB? but none the less my baby got us home. gotta love these trucks!!

rich

cduster · 03-15-2004, 02:52 AM

Can't you use an easy-out? Might be easier than drilling and re-tapping. I believe the alt bolt is a 3/8 bolt.

Dan

Longhorn Man · 03-15-2004, 03:07 AM

When this happened to me, I was able to use a small flat head screwdriver and a hammer to just tap it out.
But that bolt hadn't been in there very long either, so it came out rather easily.

Broken_down? · 03-15-2004, 03:19 AM

easy out? how does this work? is it expensive??

cduster · 03-15-2004, 03:26 AM

Drill a smaller hole in the bolt, and pound the easyout in and turn the bolt out. Not too expensive. Dan

OhioDan · 03-15-2004, 07:08 AM

I always try and use a left handed (no BS) drill bit to drill the hole. That way, if you get lucky, it'll catch and back the bolt right out. No EZ out. If it doesn't, you've still got your hole drilled and can now use an EZ out. Just my $ .02 . Hope this works for ya?

Bowtie67 · 03-15-2004, 08:45 AM

I have used an old bolt and superglued it to the broken bolt and sometiimes that works.

vtblazer · 03-15-2004, 09:00 AM

I've had good luck with a dremmel.
Use a cutting wheel and grind a slot in the bolt end that fits a standard screw driver, then just unscrew it.

Blue Beard · 03-15-2004, 09:59 AM

OhioCan, a machinist friend introduced me to the LH drill bits..didn't know there was such a thing...

Another way to remove broken bolts.

Go to your local welding shop and get some of the rod they use.

You put a nut over the broken stud and weld through the hole from the stud out to the top of the nut. The special flux core doesn't mess up the thread but allows you to put a wrench on it to remove.

Also is a punch available that bites into the edge of the screw to aid in removal.

all depends on how far down its broken and how tight.

Good Luck..

FirstGen · 03-15-2004, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bowtie67
I have used an old bolt and superglued it to the broken bolt and sometiimes that works.

Sorry but that just really cracked me up!

03-15-2004, 07:08 AM	#6
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	I always try and use a left handed (no BS) drill bit to drill the hole. That way, if you get lucky, it'll catch and back the bolt right out. No EZ out. If it doesn't, you've still got your hole drilled and can now use an EZ out. Just my $ .02 . Hope this works for ya? __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

03-15-2004, 09:00 AM	#8
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Broken bolt I've had good luck with a dremmel. Use a cutting wheel and grind a slot in the bolt end that fits a standard screw driver, then just unscrew it.

03-15-2004, 09:59 AM	#9
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	OhioCan, a machinist friend introduced me to the LH drill bits..didn't know there was such a thing... Another way to remove broken bolts. Go to your local welding shop and get some of the rod they use. You put a nut over the broken stud and weld through the hole from the stud out to the top of the nut. The special flux core doesn't mess up the thread but allows you to put a wrench on it to remove. Also is a punch available that bites into the edge of the screw to aid in removal. all depends on how far down its broken and how tight. Good Luck.. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

03-15-2004, 02:52 AM	#2
cduster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 403	Can't you use an easy-out? Might be easier than drilling and re-tapping. I believe the alt bolt is a 3/8 bolt. Dan

03-15-2004, 03:07 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	When this happened to me, I was able to use a small flat head screwdriver and a hammer to just tap it out. But that bolt hadn't been in there very long either, so it came out rather easily.

03-15-2004, 03:26 AM	#5
cduster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 403	Drill a smaller hole in the bolt, and pound the easyout in and turn the bolt out. Not too expensive. Dan

03-15-2004, 08:45 AM	#7
Bowtie67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,266	I have used an old bolt and superglued it to the broken bolt and sometiimes that works.



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