Greetings all, ive never had this happen but just bought a 94 f150 with a 302 and it had a bad water pump,,, there had never been a bolt turned on this truck seeing as every bolt i turned snapped off(pure hell) well my son who decide to lend a hand and tighten the bolts while i was running to get a new clamp set got them in wrong order and snapped a stud off in the block behind the timing cover ,,, now my question is can this bolt be left out and the bottom one secured with out it leaking like a dog or do i need to get it to the shop....the second bolt up from the lower hose inlet is the broken one

 

I wouldnt chance leaving it out but that's just me.

Is it flush with the block, or can you pull the timing cover and get to what's left of it? Worst case is you have to drill it out or try to weld a nut to it if its flush.

I need to do the timing chain on my truck, but I know all the well the issue of bolts that have never been touched since the day they were installed at the factory

 

I broke a bolt off on my 5.8 while doing a water pump change a couple of years ago. I decided to go ahead and pull the timing cover to get the stub out. Not a lot of work, and took the opportunity to replace the timing set while I was in there. The gasket set and timing set was only a few bucks. I also bought a replacement bolt set; a Dorman or "Help!" set, if I remember correctly. Not a big job, and I'm glad I took care of it at the time. I'd say go ahead and do it.

Cheers,

JD

 

Thanks mates, Im gonna try to get that blasted thing out today

 

Yeah just pull the timing cover off and try to get the busted bolts out. It's only a few more bolts to take it off. Don't forget the ones that go up thru the oil pan from the bottom.

I snapped 2 of them when I did my water pump. After using the torch, PB Blaster, and welding a nut to one of them, I got them both out. Put it all back together and found my timing cover gasket started leaking coolant. Got to do the job all over again, and while I was in there I put a new timing chain/sprocket set in, along with a new front crank seal.

So if you're that far into it, might as well do the whole job, and fix it right by getting them busted bolts out.

Having PB Blaster and a hammer, torch (preferable oxy-MAPP or oxy-acetylene), and maybe a welder will help you a LOT here. You can get by without the welder but the rest of the stuff is what it's gonna take.

EDIT: I don't know your experience level so don't take offense, but the hammer is to tap on the bolts (straight on, not sideways) to work the lubricant in and break rust loose. Don't SMASH the bolts, but give them a good firm smack just hard enough that you don't damage the threads in the block.