gusman

Hello everyone...

Did some research on this before posting, but now I think I am in deeper than anyone else who may have experienced this....

I have an 87 Firebird with stock 305 4bbl. Went to change plugs and tune it up last weekend when one of the plugs broke off in the drivers side head. Threads were stuck in there big time.

Took an easy-out tool to try to back them out... broke the easy out in there as well.

Ok, so after some additional feeble attempts I decided that the best thing to do would be to pull the head and see if I can get it from the "inside". Nope... Easy out is -really- stuck in there.

So, I would like opinions on the following ideas...

- See if a machine shop can take care of this.

- Get a used head from a boneyard.

- Get a new head.

My other related question is ... can I use a head from an 86 Bird with the same engine? I know that I have the center bolt covers and the 86 has the bolts on the outer rim... but are they the same mountwise and in functionality?

Thank you in advance for your comments and help.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The are the same functionally, but not mount-wise. The center two bolts on each side of the '87 are at 73 degrees, the '86 are all at 90 degrees.

Since you've got the head off, take it to a machine shop and let them handle it.

(You weren't turning the plug the wrong way, were you?)

gusman

Ummm... no.

There was a LOT of rust and corrosion in that area for some reason. It split on the plug's seam. I was just glad that I was able to get all the head bolts off without breaking one.

Red Devil

I'll say it. Antiseize!!!


There, beat ya to it Vader!

Oh yea, and before he denies it...

RebelTillDeath3

If you have access to a welder, you'll get it out.

Red Devil

Hey, that's clear for him. Care to explain for him or will you rely on one of us? I'm with the Kid on this. If he had this much trouble and the head is off, bring it to the machine shop.

gusman

(Read with some humor...)
Well. like many things in the world, we cannot control how previous owners maintained their vehicle... Sometimes, we have to take the good with the bad.

As for using a welder... I do have one... care to give me a little more info? Im all ears....

But in all honestly... looking for a good machine shop. I am going to make an assumption that they have the tools and know-how to deal with crap like this....

Thanks for the replys so far....

black & gold

Ok take a punch and hammer and drive the easy out OUT from the inside [combustion chamber] then take a small hack saw and cut the remaining part on the plug threads not cutting through the head just the threads then you should be able to pick it out. If worst comes to worst you can have a thread insert installed. or if you know someone good with a torch they can burn it out carefully. it's hard for me to explain wish you lived near me. I could do it faster than I can type

gusman

Well... I took it to a machine shop and they got it out without messing up the threads.

Thanks for all the ideas and options.

MrDude_1

in the future, if you have access to a welder and know how to use it... you can just weld a bolt to the broken off peice and twist the bolt.

also, using a torch to apply heat works well... these things, there is no "right" way to do it.. you just have to work at it.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Actually, he probably did it the "right" way this time.

MrDude_1

probly.

im just telling him what the guy ment when he said welder... for future knowlage.

Red Devil

I'm not sure they guy that said it knew himself, that's why no one else had filled in the answer.

:lala: