Of course it's the top one. Any ideas I am sure some of you have been here before ? I read something about a Craftsman tool called BOLT OUT. Screw that flanged bolt. I am going to look at replacing it with a bolt and a washer or two.

 

Here's 25 reviews on the "Bolt out" it's worked for me in the past.
Craftsman

 

What I had to do one time was to JB weld a socket to the bolt. Cost me a socket but I got the bolt out. Had no room to use anything else.

 

That's not a bad tip, it's a good use of the made in china sockets I have laying around.

The bolt out sockets are the same size as a regular socket though so if you can fit a socket you can fit a bolt out.

 

I have a set of the Sears for 1/2 drive work great...AutoZone also sells those type sockets for 3/8 drive, they are good quality and work great, made in the USA...really no need for lock washer and nut, just replace the bolt.

 

gk buey an easy off 15 bucks at auto zone its a spiral socket tbat has a revers thread to turn to the left always worka

 

I have used a dremel tool to cut the head off. Slide the starter back adn you can remove the bolt alot easier as the tension will not be applied with the starter removed. Soak it in penetrating oil and it will help after the head is removed.

 

I had the same problem with mine and it was rusted and stuck really bad also. i used an irwin stripped bolt tool. i forget the name of it but it is a set of four sockets, ranging from 3/8-9/16 i think. i put the socket on a extention and hit it until seated and with a long handled ratchet it came out pretty simple. instead of wasting a socket and buying jb weld you can make a small investment in a set that you can use for years to come. good luck!

 

I just used one of those Craftsman extractor sockets mentioned above and they work great (twisted the bolt right in half!! ).

Do yourself a favor and replace those bolts with some equivalent Grade 8 ones that have a proper head on them. Why Ford used these made-to-round bolt heads on the starter bolts is beyond me . . .

 

I have a 92 5.8 and the irwin bolt- grip 1/2 inch just worked wonders on my stripped rounded bottom bolt. That and a little pb blaster.

 

irwin bolt head extractors work, they sell sets of them at the parts stores (advance auto/auto zone/orileys)

 

It worked really well, unfortunately the starter wasn't the problem. 😩