Can i drill this out??

[willys53allis]

Got a '53 CA and the exhaust stud is broken off, can I drill the stud out? It doesn't go into a water jacket, right?

 

[Hoenes]

Several days ago, someone posted the idea of welding a flat washer over the stud, then welding a nut on the flat washer. (Safer for head) Maybe the heat will "shock" the threads loose, so try to remove while still warm. Looks almost too short,but could possibly try candle wax while still hot also, as other posters have suggested. If you don't have a wire feed you can always try drilling. It's very hard to keep a perfect center.
 

[LeonardWD45]

When I replaced the intake/exhaust manifold on my wd45 I had one bolt that decided it didn't want to come out and broke off flush just like yours. I drilled and attempted to tap it out using heat and everything known to man. Ended up getting a drill bit just a bit smaller than the threaded hole size to drill out the bolt and then ran a correct size tap through what was left. Worked great. I used never seize on the new bolts when I reinstalled the new manifold.

Long answer but yes you can.

Leonard
 

[Bob Bancroft]

I don't think the end one is into the water jacket, but I'm not sure. No matter-just drain it down a little.
 

[Josh in Pa]

Its hard to see how much is sticking out, but welding a nut on will get it. When I first tried this trick I couldn't believe how well it worked. If the first weld breaks, try again with a bigger nut, washer first, jamb nut, etc.
Josh
 

[mdtractormechanic]

I've been using the nut and weld method on bolts, even ones broken off flush, for over 30 years. Seldom failed. I don't see the need for the washer though. You center the nut over the bolt and weld it from the inside of the nut. Let it cool then remove.
 

[Ian Beale]

A neighbour introduced me to the use of stainless rods for jobs like this. He uses it on bolts broken off even deep below the surface of what ever they're in - the rod flux will keep the weld off the threads if you don't get too close.

He gets the puddle very hot and builds it up to where he can weld a nut on. Then tries to rock it, using bulk WD 40 until he feels a click as it starts to move.

Needs practice though. So far I've used it successfully on those broken near the surface - not up to the deep ones yet.
 

[Dick L]

I personally would drill it out. After finding (exact) center when drilling the pilot hole you should feel when you break thru the stud without drilling into the water passage. None of the studs are supposed to go into the water passages but if they happen to get drilled that deep it is no big deal. You just will need to use some gasket sealer on the threads.
 

[BushogPapa]

Believe it or not..I use Left-Handed drill bits on these and they usually will spin out, as you drill into them..

Ron..
 

[DiyDave]

I would drill it, center punch it first, and heat the stud, till it's hot enough to melt a beeswax candle against it. Drill with about 1/8 pilot bit first, then go to the correct size LH bit for the stud. Usually they break loose, just as the bit breaks through the other side of the stud. If not, then you can try a spline type ez-out I like the blue-point ones. When you try the easy out, try tightening just a little, if you feel a slight movement, then reverse direction, and spray liberally with your favorite penetrating oil, and keep moving it forward and back. Eventually you can back it out most of the time. Don't break the easy out by using an impact, or too much torque. If it feels like it ain't moving, heat and wax, again, and walk away overnight, and try again.
 

[Al L. in Wisc.]

"Willys53allis; I hope you get the bolt out. Let the folks know how it goes.

Me thinks I'm seein' a '67-'72 Ford two-tone (and I ain't talking the golfer) F100 pickup in the background.
 

[rogerdoger-plowboy]

Al L in Wisc, that is NOT a Ford pickup in the picture, I am real sure it is a 1964-1966 Chevy, look by the vent window & window.
 

[kly]

My dad is a professional tractor mechanic. When he ran into this problem. he would drill a hole in the center of the stud. Then get his stright flute easy out and other tools ready. Heat the stud with his touch, then squart cold water on the stud. Then very quickly put the easyout in the hole and screw the stud out.

Did it a lot on John Deere 4020's
 

[mdtractormechanic]

All these methods work. One is not more professional then the other. It's personal preference. Bottom line for me is this, if you have time to kill you drill. If you have to make a living you weld.
 

[willys53allis]

Sorry guys your both wrong, its a 70 dodge d-100. I'll let your guys know what happens with the broken stud, might be awhile thou....