I recently bought a pair of used "C" heads. Inspection revealed that the center header bolt is broken off in both heads. They look good otherwise.
Is this; A. Minor at the shop. B. Major at the shop C. A real crying in my beer disaster ??

George

 

I vote for answer A or less. If nothing is sticking out to grab or weld a nut to it will need to be drilled and tapped. You could do that yourself as well.

 

x2

 

It's "C" if it happens on the engine in your daily driver..."A" if the heads are bare and you can take to machine shop, or want to try Kroil/PB Blaster and a QUALITY screw extractor.
Steve

 

A- minor with the heads off. Just drill and easy out.

 

Hey neighbor!

I agree with the other posts. Shouldn't be a big deal. Did you end up buying a motor or just the heads so far? I think you said you were looking at a '76 455 if I remember right.

John

 

Update on the motor plan;
I'm driving this sat. to get a 455 block, TH400 core and rebuilt posi from
Brian Trick.
I am really pleased with all the members that have offered advice.
Thanks everyone.

George

 

That's great George! I'm sure you're very psyched. What year motor and what is it out of? If it's a full sized Olds, let me know if the car and/or any other parts are also available. Thanks and good luck!

john

 

It should be an "A" in the hands of a talented person. If done properly the original threads can be saved. If assembly had been done using an anti-seize compound it would almost never happen. Most manufacturers don't have such concerns.

 

Ask at the machine shop
if they quote $10 a bolt, have them do it
the hassle and time alone are worth that
It's very easy to drill way off center and then it gets ugly. Machine shops have mills and similar machinery to locate the drill properly.

Like any frozen fastener, heat and proper lube are the keys

The only 2 lubes worthy of this task, in my considerable experience with such things from rusty MI cars, are:

1) half ATF half Acetone [voodoo juice], and

2) Candle Wax

Wax is the best, but does make flammable fumes, so work safely.

Heat is by far the most crucial element, along with time.

Too small a torch will never do the job, the heat will just slowly heat everything. You want the surrounding head red hot and the fastener much cooler first.

Be sure to use anti-seize when you assemble.

 

Thanks everyone.
Sounds like the machine shop can handle it ok.
No need to get wound up.
George