Ugh - Another setback

[CSB]

Alright, I've hit another minor setback in the construction of my first kart. I was attempting to attach the chain guard to the engine when I somehow managed to shear the bolt head off. So now the remainder of the bolt is embedded in the engine and I'm left with no way to attach the chain guard.

The only option I could think of was to take the engine to a welder and have them weld the chain guard in place. I'm not sure if this is the best solution. Any thoughts? Any way to back this bolt out?

I've attached a couple pictures showing the embedded bolt and one showing where the chain guard would have been mounted.

 

[B.M.800]

Drill and tap it out.

Do you have a dremel? you could use the smallest burr and cut a slot in the bolt. Then use a screwdriver to get it out...

 

[Bluethunder3320]

using a dremel on that would probably leave a slot in the engine block right there, not a problem if you dont mind it.

i would take this option myself because its free, even though it leaves a mark on the engine right there.

what im describing is cutting a slot through the center of that bolt and using a flathead screwdriver to turn it out.


another way is to take it to a hardware store and buy an EZ-out bolt remover, where you drill a hole through the center of the bolt then reverse screw in the EZ-out, which grabs into the bolt and hopefully removes it.

 

[TeamCheap]

so was the bolt to long ?
did it tighten up befoe securing the chain guard?

The thing about engines and stuff like that is you want to make sure the bolt isnt to long because you can blow the bottom out of the hole if you over tighten then you have a hole in your block.

I'd try drilling it and using an easy-out with maybe a bit of heat.

 

[klicky96]

another idea would be to just make a bracket on top of the chain guard. Kind of L-Shaped, and bolt it right into the side bolt right there. It'd be cheap and easy. Just bend a little piece of metal, drill holes in the ends. Put a bolt through one side, into the chain gaurd, then bolt the other side to the engine.

 

[babzog]

Plug-weld a nut to the remainder of the bolt and turn it out with a wrench. Obviously, do it carefully and keep the heat low, couple of tack-weld type shots should be all that's needed.

 

[Jake.B]

I think your best ahot is using a dremel and usinf a flathead screwdriver. If that does not work take the E-Z out route

 

[klicky96]

The #1 thing would be the E-Z Out because, in that way, he doesn't really have a chance of cutting into the block if he has the right bit going. The dremel, with a sudden mistake, he could mess up a lot. I'd use the easier way, which would probably be the dremel, but if you're not too skilled with them, I'd use the E-Z Out.

 

[fowler]

or a left handered drill bit

it spins the opposite way as it drills
so as it drills in it will catch the bolt and spin it out

the best option is to use a left handed drill bit to drill a hole for an ez out

if it is a new bolt in a fairly new block it will come out real easy
if it is too long then how hard did u force it before it snapped

 

[klicky96]

or a left handered drill bit

it spins the opposite way as it drills
so as it drills in it will catch the bolt and spin it out

the best option is to use a left handed drill bit to drill a hole for an ez out

if it is a new bolt in a fairly new block it will come out real easy
if it is too long then how hard did u force it before it snapped

.....E-Z out would work best. What if the bit dont catch? It is a drill bit, you have to remember that it is drilling a hole, not trying to catch the metal. That is why the E-Z Out was made.

 

[CSB]

My father-in-law has an Alden Grabit that I'm going to try.

The don't think the bolt was too long but it may have been close. What are the potential issues if it was too long?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

My father-in-law has an Alden Grabit that I'm going to try.

The don't think the bolt was too long but it may have been close. What are the potential issues if it was too long?

breaking a hole through into the engine, or just getting locked there from all the force it took to shear it

go for that as your first try..... hopefully it works out

 

[used2jeep]

.....E-Z out would work best. What if the bit dont catch?

Aren't you supposed to drill a pilot hole for the E-Z Out first (one slightly larger than the width of the tip of the E-Z Out) ? Then the middle portion of the E-Z Out actually grabs the broken fastener?

 

[babzog]

breaking a hole through into the engine, or just getting locked there from all the force it took to shear itt

That's why I think welding a nut onto the nub of the bolt and using a wrench to turn it out is probably the most effective method.

 

[Badot]

My father-in-law has an Alden Grabit that I'm going to try.

The don't think the bolt was too long but it may have been close. What are the potential issues if it was too long?

Normally when you tighten a bolt the friction comes from the head of the bolt getting pulled into the block by the threads. Head breaks off, friction is gone, and the remaining threaded portion is no longer tightened down at all.

If you bottom the threaded portion out, the friction comes from the tip of the bolt hitting the bottom of the threads. Head breaks off, it's still in there tight.

 

[TeamCheap]

If it's already been over tightened it to where there is a hole in the engine or the start of a hole the damage is already done then.

Just use an easy out and it should come right out.

If your welder buddy is close and free then welding a nut to it and turning it out will work very easy as well.

I'm guessing its just around a grade 5 strength bolt which can actually be broken very easily.


OMG I was just thinking that there has been more time spent discussing how to get it out than it will take to actually get it out.(pathetic really)

 

[fowler]

.....E-Z out would work best. What if the bit dont catch? It is a drill bit, you have to remember that it is drilling a hole, not trying to catch the metal. That is why the E-Z Out was made.

thats why i said use a left handed drill bit to drill a hole then an easy out

if the bolt is not bottomed out in the hole then it will come very easy

have u never had a drill bit catch in a hole?
that is what will happen when u drill into it

iv got 1 inch bolts out of rusty holes with just a drill bit
the drills are designed to remove bolts
what other use do u have for a reverse drill

 

[CSB]

Alright, I tried the grabit and it just couldn't get ahold of the screw so I took it to a local automotive shop and a guy there got it out using an easy-out.

Thanks for all the suggestions.