CC

iTrader: (1)

I went to change the 160 to 195 degree thermostat off my 1989 TBI 5.0 RS but doing so the nut broke in half. I've got the other off fine but now I feel like in limbo. Would anyone suggest rethreading if so what do I need? I have already looked into getting a used TBI intake manifold for the worse to come. Has this ever happened to any thirdgen members?

rezinn

So there are threads stuck in the intake? Just drill it out. Worst case you can helicoil it or just rethread it for a larger bolt. You can get something to thread it at home depot or any hardware store.

92blue

iTrader: (1)

Huh? The nut broke in half? I'm not too sure I understand what you said. Is there anything sticking out above the thermostat housing? Before you try to rethread or drill anything out, try to get it out without altering anything permanently. I guess each case is different, but if theres anything sticking out above the housing, try to jbweld a socket on to there and let is sit for a day. Go back the next day, and it should loosen right up.

Raiden

I would not mess with a easy out! My next door neighbor asked me to help him with the thermomstat for a 84 vett. I thought ... No problem! an easy 5 min job and a life time good thanks for being a good neighbor. R I G H T Bolt broke off, put an easy out in the 7/64 hole and the fu..... thing broke off! Now, we have been drilling and drillling allll day loooong! got a hardend drill bit one broke off and is stuck in the hole we made with the smaller bit , now he has my drill, drop light, ext. cord, some tools, but it is his prob for now, till he needs me to tap it. What A PITA! Do not use a small easy out! matter of fact, just take the time to drill it out, small to large and then heilicoil it! It will be much easier! get a center punch, center it, drill it, then follow the heli coil instructions! TRUST ME I spent all day on this PITA! And it's not over yet!

Vader

Raiden,

Do you belive in anti-seize compound yet? I'll bet you do by now.

Jza

<- with the very large jar of copper anti-seize prominently displayed on his toolbox.

Last time this happened to me, I had to drill it out and rethread it, but used this neat rethreader that has 4 "spikes" that are hammered in flush after the coil has been threaded into the freshly drilled and tapped hole. That pretty much assures the rethread will never back out again. That was on a used TPI intake that I bought a while back.

And anytime you mate a steel surface to an aluminum surface (usually steel bolts against aluminum parts), some antiseize should be used to prevent what's known as dissimilar metal corrosion or seizure.

I don't like rethreading, but I dislike odd sized, or oversized bolts more.

Raiden

I always use the anti-seize! My neighbor did not use it and I'm done helping him till he gets the hole dirlled out! I wasted an entire day with him! When he gets the hole drilled out, I'll tap it for him to finish the job. And yes, I'm making him go to the auto parts store & get the good stuff, ANTI SEIZE

Red Devil

How ya like them pancakes bud?

gruveb

An easy can work, but you have to be gentle and patient. I've used them a million times. It's a pain in the butt, but it's certainly worth a shot.

But if that fails, time to throw a new engine in there huh?

Raiden

So I have a quick question for ya, my neighbor broke off a hard drill bit i the hole he was drilling around the easy out. Is he going to be able to drill the broken piece of bit out? Thank G O D it's out of my hands now, but i still feel like i should help the poor guy out!

ZZ28ZZ

If you can smack the ez-out real good with a hardened center-punch, it will break. Probably worth a shot at this point..

Vader

I'm up to about a 70/30 ratio of metal/maple. Any more and I think I'm gonna start oxidizing.

Raiden

Maybe for chirstmas I'll wrap up a jar of metal/maple and put it on his car