Help I'm stuck
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Rockville, Ct.
Help I'm stuck
I have a top drivers side waterpump bolt that I suspect is cross threaded. Would using a propane torch to heat up the block in that location help or am I better just snapping it off and tapping it?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Obviously, the object is to do as little damage to the threads in the hole as possible. Every bit of material that's lost from the threads in the hole will mean less contact/grip the threads in the hole will have with the bolt.
Anytime I take something off the engine (or whatever) I ALWAYS chase the hole threads with a tap and the bolt threads with a die, prior to reinstalling the bolt. I also always put a little Anti-Seize on the threads before installing the bolt, unless it's a bolt that requires sealant on the threads.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
I try to do the same. Read somewhere that thread chasers have a different cut than the tap and die sets most folks use for the purpose and are preferable. Been a long time since high school but maybe the taps on thread chasers had a flat bottom?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
There are starting taps, plug taps and bottoming taps. Bottoming taps have threads pretty much all the way to the tip.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Thread chasers aren't intended to cut threads..... they just clean out debris.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Rockville, Ct.
CONCERN?
My concern using heat is the proximity of the head and intake gaskets. Not so much the head gasket, but the intake is right there.
I drenched it in PB two days ago and again today but no budge. It has that feel of a cross thread.
I drenched it in PB two days ago and again today but no budge. It has that feel of a cross thread.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
If push comes to shove, you may have to take drastic measures to get the bolt out. If the hole threads can't be cleaned up afterwards, you may have to drill the hole oversized and heli-coil it. What engine is this?
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Rockville, Ct.
It's the 428 in my truck. If I try heating it with the propane torch I'm worried about the intake gasket. Is that a valid concern?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Applying an external heat source onto the engine would be a valid concern in controlling where the heat goes and what else it might affect.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
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From: **** hole San Jose ca.
I don't know how well you can apply any Bp lube on the threads.
You did not say if you were able to back out the bolt any to apply right on threads.
I'd use Mapp gas as it's a little hotter. I would just heat the bolt head the best, I could then use a hammer an tap on the bolt head about medium to a hard whacks a few times all while applying some Bp lube every couple of minutes and then using a impact tool air/battery tool this is better then just using a hand wrench.
Repeat above until removed but being careful not to break the threads.
Working the bolt in & out until out.
Orich
A
You did not say if you were able to back out the bolt any to apply right on threads.
I'd use Mapp gas as it's a little hotter. I would just heat the bolt head the best, I could then use a hammer an tap on the bolt head about medium to a hard whacks a few times all while applying some Bp lube every couple of minutes and then using a impact tool air/battery tool this is better then just using a hand wrench.
Repeat above until removed but being careful not to break the threads.
Working the bolt in & out until out.
Orich
A
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Posting Guru
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From: Rockville, Ct.
I will try.
I'll try some of the ideas you guys gave me. I have time.
I'm going to post another issue I have regarding my exhaust manifold.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Phoenix, Az.
I may have missed it but are you installing the water pump or removing it? If installing it then I would also chase the threads and use a new bolt. If removing it, the problem is prolly junk in the threads of the bolt inner to and beyond the block's threaded hole. In this case I would remove the bolt's head via your choice of how. Then once you get the water pump off you can soak the problem closer to the threads with BP. At least this way you will have the whole rest of the bolt to help you. Vise grips on the shank of the bolt is better than twisting it off at the block.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Rockville, Ct.
I may have missed it but are you installing the water pump or removing it? If installing it then I would also chase the threads and use a new bolt. If removing it, the problem is prolly junk in the threads of the bolt inner to and beyond the block's threaded hole. In this case I would remove the bolt's head via your choice of how. Then once you get the water pump off you can soak the problem closer to the threads with BP. At least this way you will have the whole rest of the bolt to help you. Vise grips on the shank of the bolt is better than twisting it off at the block.