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Topic: Broken Water Pump Bolt

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/22/07 8:23pm Message 1 of 25
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Fallon, NV - USA
Joined: 7/25/2007
Posts: 43
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe, Red w/black leather interior, L48, Auto, A/C, Power Windows, Cruise, Tilt/Tele.
While removing the water pump, due to it's failure, I found the upper driver side water pump bolt to be broken. Unfortunately, it is broken just below the block surface so it is impossible to try the handy Craftsman lock pliers etc.
 
I've never had great success with the good old easy out, which I've always found to be anything but easy.
 
If anyone has a good way of removing a broken bolt like this, please let me know. The only alternative I can think of would be to put the ole girl on a trailer and take her to the local machine shop/engine builder.
 
Thanks.
 
Ernie



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Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/22/07 9:30pm Message 2 of 25
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well, it may be hard to get to it, but I would recommend drilling it out.
Before drilling, tho, take a flat end(drift) punch, and whack the crap out of the bolt a few times. This helps loosen the threads. Then, use a center punch to make a starting point for the drill bit.
Start drilling small, and go larger, a couple of sizes at a time, until it is drilled out to at least half size. Drill all the way thru the bolt. Then soak it down with penetrant, and take a break.

Try the ease-out then. If it feels like the ease-out is gonna twist off, stop. Keep drilling larger. You may have to drill all the way to threads, and then, with a small center punch, you can knock whats left of the bolt out(sometimes, a piece at a time). Once the bolt is out, be sure to run a tap down thru all of the bolt holes before installing the pump.
It's a big hassle, for sure, but it will work, if there's room, and you have a little patience.



Joel Adams
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Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/23/07 12:12am Message 3 of 25
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
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Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed
Patience is the key to this delima... but you may be able to kill two birds with one stone here... Joel's procedure is spot on, however, if you can find a LEFT HANDED Drill Bit...it might turn the bolt out while drilling the hole, eliminating the need for an easy-out... that is, if'n you can find one... not your everyday on the shelf item at the local Wal-mart, but, possible at a good specialize hardware store or machine shop... just a thought :)


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Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/23/07 4:44am Message 4 of 25
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Thumbs%20Upboth right,sometime reverse drill works.


1979 Corvette

Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/23/07 7:57am Message 5 of 25
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Fallon, NV - USA
Joined: 7/25/2007
Posts: 43
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe, Red w/black leather interior, L48, Auto, A/C, Power Windows, Cruise, Tilt/Tele.

Thanks for the directions Joel. I have never seen such good detail on how to get broken bolts out. It will definitely give me something to do for awhile so I better get started. Thanks.

The reversed drill bit sounds interesting as well.
 
Thanks for the responses.
 
Ernie



Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/23/07 8:22am Message 6 of 25
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The reverse drill deal is nice, and usually works quite well. However... this is a fairly large size bolt(7/16"), AND it goes all the way thru to the water jacket. This means there will be some sort of "funk" on the exposed threads. This makes it a lot harder to remove by just turning it backwards, tho it may work. It really depends on WHY the bolt broke in the first place. Was it cross-threaded? Wrong threads? Too long? Who the heck knows? It's possible it was just a bolt that was already fractured, and snapped, in which case, it may screw right out( it could happen! ).
Another thing is, if the bolt is not too tight in the hole, drilling the normal rotation may screw it on into the water jacket, since it does go all the way thru.
Either method will work the same.
Good luck! Just don't break off any ease-outs in it...that's when the REAL fun starts!


Joel Adams
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Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/23/07 9:45am Message 7 of 25
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Fallon, NV - USA
Joined: 7/25/2007
Posts: 43
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe, Red w/black leather interior, L48, Auto, A/C, Power Windows, Cruise, Tilt/Tele.
I am just going to take it slow and easy with the plan you've laid out Joel.
 
Amazingly, the bolt was broken and had been that way for who knows how long. I didn't notice it until I relieved belt tension on the alternator and A.I.R. pump. Once the belts were loose, the bolt nearly fell out with the brackets attached to it.Angry
 
I'm betting this thing will have to be drilled right out to the threads. Little surprises like this sure keep life interesting. Confused Thanks again.



Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/26/07 5:49am Message 8 of 25
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got it out???


1979 Corvette

Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/26/07 2:18pm Message 9 of 25
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Fallon, NV - USA
Joined: 7/25/2007
Posts: 43
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe, Red w/black leather interior, L48, Auto, A/C, Power Windows, Cruise, Tilt/Tele.

No, I haven't had time to touch it this week at all. No real plans for the weekend other than work on it so should be able to get it done. I will post results. Thanks for asking.

 
Ernie



Broken Water Pump Bolt

Posted: 9/26/07 6:07pm Message 10 of 25
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Lanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2006
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Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
reverse drill bit may take it out. sometimes the heat from drilling will loosen any gunk that built up or the bolt itself and come out with no problem. as was said take your time.


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in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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