Little Help Please
 

I was replacing my thermostat when the bolt snapped off in the top hole. I put down a bead of gasket former and put a NEW bolt into the bottom hole. (Yeesh, this is startin to sound like a sex story). Anyway, no problems so far. It really broke off bad, no, ain't no way I can get a set of lock plyers on it, there just ain't enough of anything to grab. I have a set of "easyouts" with some small ones that will fit, but I'm afraid of this job, cuz this is the block I'm bolting onto, right? Ain't no way I want to screw this up. Should I take it to a shop? Like I said, no problems yet, but I don't like ridin down the road with just one bolt holding my thermostat housing on. I know the fan shroud will have to come off, and that may give enough room, especially if they have one of those right angle drills. So what do you guys (and gals) think about my dilemna here. Any suggestions on what route to take? Thanks.

Scruffboy

broken bolts suck. it happened to me twice and i tryed doing it myself both times and both times i ended up taking it to the shop.

Thanks Tone Loc
 

At least I have someone to be miserable with me.

Scruffboy

do you have access to like a torch to heat it up, youd be better off taking it too a shop if you dont feel comfortable fixing it yourself.

I guess i have to say if you can get it to a shop i would let them do it if you dont feel that you can do it with out fucking something up(better save than sorry). Good luck with it thow

Yeah i guess but when i tried doing it myself i fucked up the threads and everything.(dont have very steady hands)

you can drill the bolt that was left in the hole
you jus gotta be really careful not to drill the metal around the hole

jus pick a small bit first, make sure you got a pilot hole so when you drill it,
the bit wont be dancing around

jus go slow, and eventually the bolt will be thinned out and you can jus get it off with sum pliers or anything that can grab it

and if all goes terribly wrong.... replace the rear thermostat housing (2 nuts, 1 bolt iirc) and bolt another one on ;)

Broken Bolt
 

Unfortunately, like Tone Loc, I don't exactly have the hands of a surgeon (maybe experimented a little too much in my youth). Anyway, Supra Girl mentions the back end of the thermostat housing. I thought the thermo housing bolted right onto the block. Am I that stupid? (don't answer, and see above for reasons) If it bolts onto something I can take off, I'll just replace that part. I have to run out and check on this. That would save me a world of hurt. Thanks Supra Girl. Much obliged.

Scruffboy

try this, take off the thermo housing, completely out of the car. once done, you will have as much room as needed to attempt to drill out the bolt. and if you f*ck up, you can just replace it. this way would prolly be cheaper than taking it to a shop but if you mess up and cant wait for a replacement part you may want to take it a shop...