North American Turbocoupe Organization



Stuck Head Bolt
DR1Pilot Offline
Member
#1
So I'm removing the cylinder head so a friend of mine can port and polish it for me. I'm down to the last bolt in the center on the passenger side and low and behold it won't budge. I've tried soaking it in penetrating oil, torching the bolt, torching the block and even whacking the head with a brass drift but still no luck even with a 24 in breaker bar.
Has anyone else been in this scenario and had any success stories to tell which might give me ideas or inspiration of some kind? Thanks.
Project 88 T-Bird 74k original miles
and a Loud Moped
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
My ideas are lightly and REPEATEDLY tap on the bolt head to set up a series of vibrations that may break the corrosion loose. An old mechanics trick that many swear by is to actually try slightly tightening the bolt, then try loosening it.
Pete Dunham


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DR1Pilot Offline
Member
#3
I'll have to try tightening it some tonight. First I need to buy a more sturdy breaker bar though
Project 88 T-Bird 74k original miles
and a Loud Moped
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#4
Have you tried a good high torque air impact wrench?
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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DR1Pilot Offline
Member
#5
I unfortunately do not own one or even an air compressor. I do have an 120v one but its pretty weak.
Project 88 T-Bird 74k original miles
and a Loud Moped
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jmthunderbirdturbo Offline
Posting Freak
#6
put the rest of the head bolts back in, tighten them to 40 ft lbs. remove the stuck one. remove the rest of the head bolts.

-J0N
APRIL 2018 - LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR. PM me if you have an 87-88 roller or cheap TF for sale.
1988 TC 5MT-Blue/Blue check-off car. resto-project.
2006 Honda Odyssey 5AT, baby-mobile.
2013 F-150, 5.0, 6AT, 4x4, snow white paint.
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anasazi4st Offline
Senior Member
#7
^^^ That's VERY smart!

Also: have you considered a battery-powered impact wrench? Ryobi (for example) makes one that is powerful enough to remove lug nuts (although I'd still use a 4-way for that, waste of battery power).

Home Depot offers sets during the Holiday season that include a smaller impact driver and the above-mentioned heavy duty impact wrench for about $120. This includes TWO batteries and a much-better-than-entry-level battery charger and conditioner (this last kit sells for $69 just by itself). Well worth it.
Another proud dues-paying member.

1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
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4cammer72 Offline
Posting Freak
#8
is the exhaust manifold still bolted to the head? sounds like you have 2 bolts intersecting and locking the head bolt in
88tc (sold) but keeping an eye out.
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