Calum122 Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Hi, I've only gone and absolutely done myself good and proper here haven't I. I've literally gone a rebuilt this cylinder head on my car. Taking my time, doing everything and everything. Three months I've spent researching, buying and then doing the work (bar the skimming). And I've gone a snapped a bolt inside the cam shaft cap journal thingy. FML! I don't often seek advice. I already know the answer. But I want to see what you guys think. So I was reinstalling the cams into the head. All of the bolts were absolutely fine. Apart from the bottom bolt on I3. It would bite a little bit. Say two-three threads, and then completely lock up and require a substantial amount of force to turn it, and it wasn't even hitting the cap. Obviously something wasn't quite right. So I dismantled it all. Couldn't see anything immediately obvious so I sprayed it all up with some WD to get rid of debris and oil, and ran a Stainless Steel through it without the cam cap on. Yet again it ran stupidly tight. thinking that this may be because it required a smaller bolt I dismantled all the cams and compared the bolts to find they were all the same. So I took a closer look at the head. And the thread inside was completely mangled. Not even sure how. Immediately, I was like FFS. Head has to come off AGAIN. Then stupidly I thought well fuck it, if the head has to come off, then I might as well just give it a shot by just tightening the bolt and hopefully cut a new thread. Nah, snapped off. So now I have a fully rebuilt head. With a snapped bolt seized into the cam journal. IDIOT. It even crossed my mind just running a decent tap into it. Just my impatience has cost me now. I've already spoken to a few of my mates. Some have different opinions on the matter. What should I do now? I don't really want to hear it but I'm at this point now. I've had this car for six months. Sunk thousands into it, and have never driven it. It's a ridiculous money pit that doesn't seem to be clearing. My thoughts are either, head offdismantle it completely.See if an engineering firm will either Drill out or remove bolt and tap and helicoil the damaged thread Or my mate said that it might need a Steel insert. What are peoples thoughts? Other than DOH! That's another couple hundred quid down the drain Also can I reuse the head gasket. It's OEM and has never been fired up. Didn't get that far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
_shaun_ Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Has it snapped off totally flush? If u can't get it out at all I'd Helicoil it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Completely flush. As you can probably imagine, it was a tight fit in, so it sure is hell ain't coming out without a fight. Question is Shaun, is it possible in situ? So greening about this. Can't believe my luck. Unreal. So much effort has gone into this as well. To mess up now is unreal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
daveEP Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 If it's snapped at the head of the bolt and there is some thread left a would use a hack saw to cut a slot through the middle of it and use an impact flat head screwdriver to shock it and turn at the same time!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 That would work. But you won't get a hack saw in there. It's too tight. Then theres the risk of swarf into the bottome end. And I know for a fact that the thread inside is ruined. I think tomorrow I will begin the slow process of removing everything, and start again. Get it down to a engineering firm ASAP and get them to sort it out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rwdrev Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 head off and take to engineering shop. get them to remove the stud and then get it helicoiled as the threads are fooked Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Yep, I think you're right mate. If the weather is alright tomorrow, I'll get a lot of the work done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
daveEP Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Yes your prob ryt. A thought u had already stripped the head back off and down. Prob be best to give it to an engineering company to deal with. Give them the bolt and tell them what your after. Don't give up tho mate. Would be a shame.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Yeah, cheers lads. Times like this when you do need some moral support. If I really work hard, it shouldn't be more than a few weeks set back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
_shaun_ Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Aye If it's flush I'd take it off to a pro. You could mask the head up properly and drill it out and heli coil it yourself in place but wouldn't advise it unless you've done it a few times before Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 I kinda take it that the brand new bolts and OEM headgasket might as well go in the bin now I just love throwing away money, it's the best! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gazza g Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 yeah i would get new head bolts and gasket, pain in the arse these cars at the best of times but don't give up, i had mine for 2 months last year as engine blown and gearbox soon followed suit so i know your pain end of the day your hard work isn't wasted, its just a fucked thread at the end of the day that can easily be fixed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Oh dear, I should count myself lucky in that case :/ Lol thanks though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted April 4, 2015 Author Share Posted April 4, 2015 All fixed now Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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