Help with a rounded bolt?

inferno

inferno

Well-known member
Can anybody help me with a rounded exhaust header bolt?

After lots of oiling i managed to get 6 of them loose but there's 2 that's not budging at all. Its a bit rounded but it looks like it chipping now.

I'm in north york. Im trying to change the header gasket.

Thanks!
 
no luck with liquid wrench or drilling:(
 
that's what ive been trying. got a hole into the bolt but now the extractor bit doesn't get that far. Not enough clearance between the pipe and frame.
 
Can you get a pair of vise grips on them?
Adjust and squeeze it really hard shut , start turning it and the same time tap the bolt rapidly and repeatedly with a hammer.
 
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Hey Inferno! I have a socket set for rounded bolt heads, I'd be willing to let you borrow it if u can come and get it and return it.(returning it is the most important part) I'm at Markham Rd. & 407
 
Heat and lots of it!
 
cant fit vice grips. Thank you Plumber for offering. Ive tried the rounded socket also but it doesnt grip because the outside is round.
bolt-torx-8x35_medium90107MASE01-01_6f5c.jpg


heats the only thing left to try but i doubt a lighter would do it.
 
Get a flat punch that will fit down the center of the bolt and give it a couple good sharp whacks with a hammer. After that get a 12 point socket that you can hammer down on to the rounded outside of the bolt. It will need to be very tight.

This should work for you. If that fails, try to get a sharp chisel and use that to crack it free. Once it has turned a little bit you should be able to spin it out with a 12 point.
 
inferno said:
heats the only thing left to try but i doubt a lighter would do it.
Click to expand...

Uhhh, NO!
You need something with a higher temp. Try something like a propane torch. If not you're wasting your time
 
use a hacksaw or a dremmel to cut a grove to make the bolt a slot screw
images


link

You'll have to replace the bolt if you do this
 
inferno said:
cant fit vice grips. Thank you Plumber for offering. Ive tried the rounded socket also but it doesnt grip because the outside is round.
bolt-torx-8x35_medium90107MASE01-01_6f5c.jpg


heats the only thing left to try but i doubt a lighter would do it.
Click to expand...


Take the socket and hammer it on. The teeth will dig into the head of the bolt. Trust me I've done it.
 
Ok so no lighter (lol i was joking). I dont have access to a torch or dremel. so giving up that idea.

Hammer and socket it is then.. Also going to try to see if i can find the 12 point socket. Thanks, didnt know those existed.
 
i give up. !@!#@$!
hammering did squat and i cant find the 12 point socket anywhere.
 
Did what JC said. File it flat then use a vise grip.
If not, another option is to use a reverse drill and drill it out.
My suggestion would be to warm the engine then use gloves to work on it. Soak it with a bit of motor oil when Hot
 
Not sure if this will work for you........how long is the bolt.... stud.??? Cut the head of the bolt off, leaving the shaft threaded into the head. Take care not to damage the flange. Once you have the header off......use a pair of vice grips on the shaft of the bolt to unscrew it from the head. Buy all new bolts.
 
Since the head is already stripped it might still be hard to turn even after heating with a propane torch. Might have to try a combination of heat + extraction tools.

I've got a dremel you can borrow if you want to try that route. Also have the rounded bolt extractor sockets that slap linked to above. Have screw extractor bits (I know you've tried this but had clearance issues) as well as a flex attachment for a drill/impact driver. You're welcome to use any of these just let me know.
 
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