Broken Head Bolt

[Snoranger]

Straight from Ford...

 

[Ranger Mark]

Well to anyone interested, I found out why I broke 3 head bolts.

I'll just leave this right here. Hint: check spec section. The giveaway is the thread starting depth.

For those who didn't want to look it up, my block is early 1999 but my truck is a '96. Instead of a 2 step process, it is a 5 step process. Coming nowhere close to 70 ft. lbs. How the passenger side worked is beyond me.

 

[Dirtman]

Well that solves one mystery.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Did you manage to get the bolt out?

 

[Ranger Mark]

Did you manage to get the bolt out?

I'm working on it today. Had to get some 1/2" tubing and grind to fit for a drill guide. Slow going, but this should help
me drill straight at least

 

[Curious Hound]

Heaps and heaps of good luck to you.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You have the right idea... slow and steady

 

[pjtoledo]

are you using a reverse twist drill bit?

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[Dirtman]

Use lots of lube

 

[Ranger Mark]

are you using a reverse twist drill bit?

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No. The left handed bits aren't strong enough. The bit in the picture above is titanium and barely makes a dent. Got a cobalt bit at Grainger last night and went through the bolt like it was butter.

 

[Curious Hound]

No. The left handed bits aren't strong enough. The bit in the picture above is titanium and barely makes a dent. Got a cobalt bit at Grainger last night and went through the bolt like it was butter.

That sounds like progress

 

[Ranger Mark]

Here's an update.
The hole with the insert was out of round. Some idiot couldn't drill a straight hole. (Looking in the mirror). I just kept adding layers of jb weld until I was able to drill and tap for the helicoil. After using the proper torque procedure, it felt strong and smooth. I added some red thread locker when I installed the insert just as insurance. I'll let you all know what happens when I get it running.

 

[Ranger Mark]

Well I'm hoping to drop this in next week. Get to babysit the grandkids this weekend. My wife is getting anxious so I'm skipping some of the details I wanted to do but it will be good enough if it runs well.

 

[Dirtman]

Why... uhhh... did you paint your exhaust manifolds blue?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]