Broken bolt in Final oil pan

[Dale Finch]

I was putting the new rear tires and final oil pans on my '48 SA today, and realized there was a broken off bolt for the oil pan on the right final housing. With the frequent discussions (and condemnation!) of "easy outs", I am wary of using one for this. It is one of 10 bolts, so for now, I will assemble it with the bolt missing, but want to get it out soon. Any suggestions?

If you had seen some of my welding in my intro class last month, you would realize that anything involving a torch would be my last choice!! However, I do have friends who are better!

Dale F

[Barnyard]

You might try a left hand drill bit. I had two fly wheels at the Tug with broken bolts and they backed right out once the bit got a hold on them. If they don't back out you will at least have the hole already drilled so you can break an easy out off in it.

[Gary Dotson]

I second the left hand bit! It will probably come right out. It was likely broken by over-tightening rather than someone attempting to remove it so it is probably not frozen in place.

[Winfield Dave]

If they don't back out you will at least have the hole already drilled so you can break an easy out off in it.

Now that's funny.

Dale...9 out of 10 bolts [90%] should be fine.
Better than a duct tape "drain plug":

[Dale Finch]

You might try a left hand drill bit. I had two fly wheels at the Tug with broken bolts and they backed right out once the bit got a hold on them. If they don't back out you will at least have the hole already drilled so you can break an easy out off in it.

Barnyard, that was a genuine "laugh out loud"!!!!! Good one.

I HAVE been meaning to buy a set of left hand bits, and this is just what I needed to spend the money! Thanks all!

Dale F

PS Dave, that is SO pitiful...SOMEONE, help that guy out!!!!!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

As to whether or not an easy-out will work depends on several things, including why the bolt is broken. If it was too long and bottomed then twisted off, or rusted in place, it probably will not work. If it was simply twisted off from over tightening, or was hit on something and sheared, it frequently will work. Once the pan is out of the way you might be able to weld a nut on it and back it out, but that is a pain working upside down. Since those bolts are just to clamp gasket in place rather than for structural integrity, you might be able to put a piece of flat metal across some other bolts to help clamp it. Or as a not so great fix, a layer of RTV gasket sealer on each side of the gasket in the area of the broken bolt may be sufficient to prevent leaks

[ToddW]

Wire feed welding a nut onto the broken bolt-making a new bolt to back out--has worked may times for me

the heat of the welding loosens the broke bolt very well

[Dale Finch]

Since I have had other issues pop up, I just got back to the final yesterday. I had ordered a set of left hand drill bits from Northern Tools, and they worked JUST AS PREDICTED!!!



I only had to drill about 1/8" when it slowly began to back out. THANK YOU ALL!!!


Dale F