..I'm thinking its torque wrench time, but wondering if there's got to be another way to do this....
Just peachy....
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: Southern Ohio
I did this on my 300 I6. You can go to the auto parts store and get some sockets called Bolt outs. They are like a normal socket but have spiral teeth that grab the rounded bolt head. Also I dont see how a torque wrench would help your situation? 
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 25
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Wasn't sure just what my options were at this point. Like I've said before, I haven't really worked on my cars since 77 so its like learning how to do it all over again. Someone suggested a torque to me and I was just imagining myself trying to get them off without breaking them off completely. Thank you for the insight!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 290
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From: Southern Ohio
I also have a 302 in my garage that has a bad starter, I took and ground the heads off the bolts and slid the starter off. Then took and sprayed the bolts with PB blaster at the threads and used a small pipe wrench to extract them. More than one way to skin a cat! If you have a MIG welder weld a washer to the bolt head and weld a nut to the washer and turn the bolt out. 
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 13,147
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
If you could possibly get a set of pliers in there, these work unbelievably well for getting round things loose.
The harder you pull on them, the tighter the jaws grip. WAAAY tighter than vise grips. I get rounded oil drain plugs out all the time with the blue handled pair. They're Channel Lock brand. Don't get a cheap imitation version, spend the money and buy the real deal. You'll find all kinds of uses for them. The orange handled pairs are a new and older version of Knipex pliers.
The harder you pull on them, the tighter the jaws grip. WAAAY tighter than vise grips. I get rounded oil drain plugs out all the time with the blue handled pair. They're Channel Lock brand. Don't get a cheap imitation version, spend the money and buy the real deal. You'll find all kinds of uses for them. The orange handled pairs are a new and older version of Knipex pliers.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Acworth, GA
I have used a pipe wrench on stubborn bolts and such before.
Pipe wrench - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pipe wrench - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 13,147
Likes: 348
From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
I have used a pipe wrench on stubborn bolts and such before.
Pipe wrench - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pipe wrench - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
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From: Acworth, GA
Very true. But it doesn't hurt to have options.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2012
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Gosh, guys! Thanks for all of the input, you really make a girl feel good about making the decision to do things herself! 
I will try the channel locks and see if that will work, my dad gave me a pair way back when so this is the next thing I will try.
I will try the channel locks and see if that will work, my dad gave me a pair way back when so this is the next thing I will try.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 813
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From: Up Nort Minnesota
I doubt you will fit them in there.
you rounded the heads?
were you using 12 point sockets/wrenches?
It is after the thought now but try using 6 point in the future if you suspect the bolt or nut will be stubborn.
If you did round them with a 12 point wrench or socket, you may be able to fit a 6 point metric socket on there that's a shade smaller than the standard bolt head size.
You may have to drive the socket onto the bolt head with a socket extention and a hammer. And later you will have to fight the bolt/nut out of the socket, but this trick has saved me many times.
If you started with a 9/16 sae, try to drive a 6 point 14mm socket on there.
If 1/2", then try driving a 12mm 6 point, the 12 falls right between 7/16" and 1/2"
Good luck
you rounded the heads?
were you using 12 point sockets/wrenches?
It is after the thought now but try using 6 point in the future if you suspect the bolt or nut will be stubborn.
If you did round them with a 12 point wrench or socket, you may be able to fit a 6 point metric socket on there that's a shade smaller than the standard bolt head size.
You may have to drive the socket onto the bolt head with a socket extention and a hammer. And later you will have to fight the bolt/nut out of the socket, but this trick has saved me many times.
If you started with a 9/16 sae, try to drive a 6 point 14mm socket on there.
If 1/2", then try driving a 12mm 6 point, the 12 falls right between 7/16" and 1/2"
Good luck
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
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From: Sioux Falls Area
they do make sockets that drive off the flats of the bolt head as well. although, they are harder to find.
they also make "E" sockets, which is the reverse of a "T" or Torx drive, might find one that you can tap on there.
if trying the channel locks, try to find ones that have the scissor jaws (first two in the picture above), then make sure you pull on the correct side of the handle so they are self tightening (i know it sounds obvious, but ive seen lots of people use them backwards).
additional tip, worth the price you pay, but has worked for me many times. get a glass of ice water and put your channel locks in the cold water for a few minutes. then heat the threaded area with a regular propane torch. sometimes the heat around the threads, then grabbing the bolt with the cold pliers will draw enough heat out of the bolt to shrink it enough to break it loose. sounds stuipd, but has worked for me more times than i care to admit.
they also make "E" sockets, which is the reverse of a "T" or Torx drive, might find one that you can tap on there.
if trying the channel locks, try to find ones that have the scissor jaws (first two in the picture above), then make sure you pull on the correct side of the handle so they are self tightening (i know it sounds obvious, but ive seen lots of people use them backwards).
additional tip, worth the price you pay, but has worked for me many times. get a glass of ice water and put your channel locks in the cold water for a few minutes. then heat the threaded area with a regular propane torch. sometimes the heat around the threads, then grabbing the bolt with the cold pliers will draw enough heat out of the bolt to shrink it enough to break it loose. sounds stuipd, but has worked for me more times than i care to admit.
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