The water pump went out on my 40 ford flathead v8. I was able to get all the external facing bolts out but the one bolt that is in the side of where the radiator hose has a stripped head. It looks like it has some corrosion as well. Any flathead tricks to get this bolt out? One want to break the head off this thing. Any help appreciated
Make a simple jig to drill the center of the bolt out. Even hard wood will work. Or, if you think you can drill dead-center, bore the center of the bolt with a 1/8" bit. Set a 'stop' on the drill, (length will be 1 3/8" total to get thru the head and length of the stripped bolt) Change bits up to 1/4", then use a left hand 5/16" bit, with some good penetrating oil. Blaster is great...Bolt should back out when bit gets less than halfway thru. If not, go to 11/32", left hand.
If you have room just clean enough of the rust off and hold a nut against the bolt head and weld it to the bolt. It should come off with a socket on the nut.
Have you tried a 6 point socket instead of the normal 12 point? I bet you use a stainless one to replace it when you finally get it out. Charlie Stephens
You might try one of those sockets Sears sells for gripping stripped bold heads. Otherwise use a six point if you haven't yet.
Used this one today on a sheared off flywheel bolt. Works a treat. Weld a nut onto the sheared off bolt. The heat from the welding adds a little heat and it just turns out. If it works its the quickest way.
Got the bolt out. Ended up using a 13mm 12 point socket. Heated the bolt up a bit and it came right out. Did the same on the other side as well. Ill be replacing them with stainless bolts.
13mm is a good trick. It's ever so slightly smaller than 1/2 inch and sometimes grips well on worn 1/2" bolts Ed
Thanks for posting the follow up. It's always good to find out what finally got the job done, might help out some of he rest of us down the road someday.
Back in the day a 2 lb. hammer was good to beat all the stuff in the way off so you could get to it with a pipe wrench !!!!
Old but important thread. Whenever you have a rusted in bolt, nut, or stud that will break if you twist any more, the best way I have found to always get them out is heat. Concentrate the flame of an oxy/acetylene torch on the offending part. Rust is a good enough insulator that the part will turn cherry red while the surrounding metal will stay relatively cool. Get the part a good cherry red then quench it. It will easily unscrew.
Yeah, so I got my torches out & the acetyline regulator took a dump... Grrrrr... I'll have to wait 'til Monday for that. But, I tapped a 13mm 12 point socket onto the offending bolt and carefully cranked on it... to my surprise & delight it came loose. Lucky. I tried the same thing on the other pump's bolt; no dice! So that's that @ this point. I'm optimistic that the heat will make the difference on the second one.
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