ford 460

pipeline

pipeline

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Location
Albemarle
Ok I was trying to replace exhaust manifold gaskets on my 83 f250. Well half of the bolts broke while removing. So now I have the manifolds off but can't get the broken bolts out. I tried today to weld a nut onto a couple of the bolts that were sticking out from the head. But the weld didn't hold to the bolt. So now I guess it looks like I'll have to remove the engine to have access to the broken bolts. And I don't know if I can get them out then either?

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these out?
 
Before you yank the motor, see what kind of access you can get through the wheel tubs. You should be able to remove the tire and the wheel house and get pretty close to the exhaust ports. If you unbolt the engine mounts and lift the engine a bit, it may help also.

Beyond that, left handed drill bits, ez outs, heat and oil.

Or pull the heads and drop them off at the machine shop. Let somebody else deal with it. ;)
 
There are a couple that are broke toward the front of the engine that I couldn't get to because of the shock/spring mount. That is why I thought of removing the engine.
 
Ah, okay.

Well... if you've got the patience to try removing them yourself, go ahead and yank the motor. I've drilled out my share of broken bolts, and I'm really no good at it. Sometimes I get lucky, and the broken piece spins right out. Sometimes I end up off center and fawk up the threads, or break an EZ out, or some crap like that.

For the cost of headgaskets ($50/ea??) and the likelihood that you still won't be able to get the bolts loose once the motor is out, I'd just yank the heads and pay somebody else to deal with it.

It's not much of a suggestion, but it may save you some heartache down the line.
 
been there done that . those are the jobs id get when i worked for ford. a 90 deg drill and some good bits. access how ever you need to but take your time and get the bit center and drill a 1/8 '' hole all the way throgh .spray some pb blaster in the hole and let sit over nite. then drill larger for ez out and remove. some times i had to take a red wrinch to it also and rarely i had to r&r a head but some times its unavoidable.
 
I have the same issue with my 460 in my van. The right side manifold is busted. EVERYONE I have talked to about it says it's not a matter of if you will break bolts off in the head, but rather how many.
After working in a machine shop and seeing many broke off bolts in heads, and how easy it would be for the do it yourselfer to screw it up,.... best advise is to pull the head and take it to a machine shop and let them get the head and hole lined up right and take it out, and not fubar it.
Good luck.
 
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