Oh No! Can this be spared??

[turtle1173]

Hello everyone,<br /><br /> Please allow me to explain my dire situation. Thanks to some of you, I had removed the head and exhaust plate on my 1976 55HP Chrysler. I was getting ready to put her back together when I decided to check the thermostat. I thought, "Well, I've gone this far, I might as well go the extra mile." Using heat, I removed 2 of the 3 bolts on the thermostat housing. The third one was being stubborn and the head stripped. I used vise pliers and continued trying with heat. Nothing was working. I decided to try and knock the head of the screw off, take the housing off, and then battle with getting the screw out. During the process of knocking the head of the screw off, the housing broke in half. Then when I started working on the bolt again it broke off slightly recessed of the head. Aaaahhh!!<br /><br /> Well I located a new thermostat housing so I decided to drill this thing out. Anyway to make a long story even longer, the drill bit broke off in the hole I was drilling. Since then 2 more drill bits have broken off as well.<br /><br /> I've concluded that this bolt is NOT coming out. I've told you all of this, so that I can pose this question: Is there any way of putting humpty dumpty back together again without this screw? As I mentioned, there are 3 screws (2 on the right side and one on the bottom left side). This is the bottom left screw. I realize the only pressure on this part is the water circulating through it but can I somehow put this back together so that it won't leak?<br /><br />Thanks for your input.<br /><br />Shane Williams

 

[dkondelik]

Re: Oh No! Can this be spared??

Afternoon Turtle,<br /><br />It all depends on how attached you are to the ol' girl.<br /><br />If you really want to keep her, take the motor (or at least the power-head) to a local machine shop. I'm sure that they can get the busted stud/bolt removed (and maybe retapped) for just a few bucks. it's no big deal for guys who are familiar with the problem.<br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!

 

[alcan]

Re: Oh No! Can this be spared??

Hi Turtle<br /> I would find a machine shop.Have them aneal those broken bits, drill and clean up the mess. Probably have to weld back up and redrill and tap the hole.

 

[bhalsdorf]

Re: Oh No! Can this be spared??

A machine shop can remove the broken bolt and drill bits using a machine for removing broken taps and drills and then a plug can be welded in place so they can redrill and tap the hole. Bring then the housing so they can take all necessary measurements.