Ive started working on my spare engine in the garage and started stripping the front end. I have one problem! the two water pipes, i got the top one off that contains the sensors no problem, but the bottom water pipe has 2 nuts and 1 hex bolt. I got the nuts off but it looks like the hexbolt has been stripped at some point, i dont mean the thread, its the hex head where you insert the tool.

 

Now i cant get the other top timing belt cover off, cos the pipe is in the way. And space is tight for getting anything i have to normally remove stripped heads.

 

Has anyone come across this before or have any ideas to get the hex bolt out.

 

 

Cheers

Graham

Had the same thing Graham, if i remember it is a 6mm allen bolt, which had rounded inside, i tried a 7 but slipped slightly, then used an 8mm and had to hammer it in, it was super tight, but wouldnt budge, left over night soaked in penetration oil, one quick hit with the angled bit of the allen key using an old pipe and it worked.

fooked the nut though. but thread was good.

Same here Stu the inside of the head is rounded, i tried to hammer a bigger size in, but might have to give it a bigger whack lol.

I though that might be the route to take, but wondered if some sort of extraction tool might do the job, as you say its in there really tight.

 

Cheers

Graham

could you use something like this...

 

http://www.bodyshop-tools-supplies.co.uk/product_view.php?id=11935

That looks cool, but the hex head is smooth, i dont know whether it will grip or not.

Normally hammering in a larger size allen socket would be enough, is there enough room to put a 10mm thread size nut over the allen screw and weld the nut on with a a mig welder? I have had the front of my engine stripped twice but it was ages ago and I cant remember what access you have. Also if you can use a 1/4 allen socket, this is slightly bigger than a 6mm, hammer that in instead of going to 7mm which is bigger again, might be enough to crack it.

 

Cheers John

I had this prob with the top pipe & this is what I ended up doing - http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=32269

 

CheerZ

 

Steve :)

I dont have a welder, but as a last resort might have to get a mobile welding guy to di it all else fails

Cheers Steve, a big help. Im lucky enough to have the engine out while doing this otherwise as you said its tight lol

I had the same problem and sorted it the same as Stu did. Cant tell you how p1ssed off I was when I found it. Why the f#ck would you have 1 hex bolt on it??????

exactly, i dont see any reason why a normal bolt cant be used, it must be a nightmare of a job with the engine still in the car, in fact getting the little hoses off was a pain out the car let alone in lol

exactly, i dont see any reason why a normal bolt cant be used, it must be a nightmare of a job with the engine still in the car, in fact getting the little hoses off was a pain out the car let alone in lol

 

It was a total pain mate, I had to remove basically everything in front of the engine. Oh and left half my knuckles behind aswell.

Sorted, many thanks for the help, i used a 7mm hex bit and hammered it in tight, it worked a treat.

Now the hard work begins lol