I got a new rear bumper for my 69 cutlass. This weekend, I sprayed all the bumper bolts with liquid wrench, and they all started to loosen. Last night, I moved the car to my garage, and the first three bolts came out fine, but the fourth rounded out the hole in the bumper. So I thought, remove the bracket (only two bolts). Well, first one came out great, but the second one ROUNDED OUT THE HOLE! So now I have two problems. I am new to this but willing to learn, and the most common solution I am reading says heat the bolts. Unfortunately, both these areas are adjacent to the gas tank, so that makes me a little nervous. I am going to buy a big vice grip this afternoon and try again. Any other suggestions?

 

Any fastener I don't plan on ever using again gets OxyAcetelene' d into oblivion.

 

And what about the gas tank issue? I don't want to be in oblivion with my unwanted fasteners.

 

I'd try using a die grinder.

 

I've heard of people using dry ice that you get at the hardware store to cool the bolt. I guess this makes it contract and break free of all of the rust holding it in place. I don't know if this would work to well though, I have never done it. Sounds like a good idea though.

 

Thanks for all the ideas. While I was buying my new vise grip pliers, I did purchase some cutting wheels for my dremel tool. After a little more missing skin on my hands, I put the cutting wheel on the dremel and off it came. I am afraid my idea of just cleaning and painting my new toy is going to become a full frame off restoration, so I'm sure I'll have more questions for you guys.

 

Doc, that is what I was going to recommend. Upside is the tool is smaller and more maneuverable, downside is it takes longer to cut because it is smaller, and the wheels break easier.

 

Break tools, not skin, my friend
That's the path to enlightenment.

Even though skin is much cheaper, It takes too long to replace.

 

That is a COOL car. It doesn't even look like you would need to restore that car. It looks great the way it is!

 

tarheeldoc,

From that picture I'd say your 69 looks pretty good as is!

Why a "frame off" restoration?

 

Well, what you can't see from this distance is that the repaint was not very good, and the clear coat is peeling off all over the top surfaces. There is a moderate amount of bubbling rust under the paint, particularly around trim. No through and through holes though that I have found. My friend who is going to help me with the body work, recommended stripping all the paint to fully evaluate the rust and previous repair situations. If I am going to take it apart to that degree, I just figured, I might as well go all the way and do everything at once, so it will last until I can pass it along to my son one day. I got this car from the original owner, who passed along the original window sticker. He decided he would keep his 280ZX instead.