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BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER.... A's, G's & E's


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jdlaugh
vanny
Digz
gfleduc
Scott
samsvan
10 posters

    Broken bolts

    samsvan
    samsvan


    Number of posts : 672
    Location : Sarasota, Fl.
    Age : 61
    Registration date : 2014-09-04

    Broken bolts Empty Broken bolts

    Post by samsvan Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:07 pm

    I noticed that a bolt was missing from my alternator bracket and it had a crack in it. I went ahead and pulled the whole thing out to switch it out. Now I see that there are two bolts broken off in the block. They are both 5/16 grade 8 bolts. Of course they are hard to get at so I was thinking about trying to weld an old screwdriver to the bolts to pull them out. I tried drilling them to use an extractor but no luck. I can't drill straight in because the balancer is in the way. Am I screwed or what?
    Scott
    Scott


    Number of posts : 1651
    Location : Anoka, MN
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    Registration date : 2008-05-20

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    Post by Scott Mon Jul 02, 2018 11:29 pm

    If there is any bolt sticking out with threads you can put two nuts on it and back them into each other. You would have to be pretty good to get a screwdriver welded on there, and that weld would have to be pretty good to take the pressure it needs to loosen the bolts. Well, unless they are not very tight.

    You might just have to bite the bullet and pull the balancer. Pain, but if it gives you the needed room to drill straight.
    gfleduc
    gfleduc


    Number of posts : 367
    Location : Kingwood Texas
    Age : 68
    Registration date : 2015-09-19

    Broken bolts Empty Broken Bolts

    Post by gfleduc Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:14 am

    Well if you are good with a welder - I suspect TIG - It is a common practice in industry to remove broken bolts by the method - commonly they weld a bolt on so you have something you can torque with.

    As a prep it is good to soak it a while with a pure penetrant - then of course clean it.

    Let it cool because the bolt will be the hottest & you would otherwise also be fighting thermo expansion.
    Digz
    Digz


    Number of posts : 3794
    Location : United States Six Lakes MI
    Registration date : 2008-05-17

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    Post by Digz Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:08 am

    Similar , make a half nut and try welding that on with a MIG. Or take a strip of thicker sheetmetal , drill a hole the same size or slightly smaller and weld that on and tap it with a hammer to get it loose. I have done that a lot with flush broken bolts from exhaust manifolds to bumper bolts.
    samsvan
    samsvan


    Number of posts : 672
    Location : Sarasota, Fl.
    Age : 61
    Registration date : 2014-09-04

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    Post by samsvan Tue Jul 03, 2018 4:34 pm

    Well I think I got lucky on this one. I decided to take my Dremmel tool with a cutoff wheel and make a slot across the end of the bolts so I could try to turn them out with a screwdriver. I figured they would be bottomed out in the holes and seized up but they came right out.cheers    
    Broken bolts Img_1511
    Broken bolts Img_1510
    Broken bolts Img_1512
    Scott
    Scott


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    Post by Scott Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:01 pm

    oh sweet, great idea
    gfleduc
    gfleduc


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    Post by gfleduc Tue Jul 03, 2018 6:43 pm

    Nice! - good for you...
    Digz
    Digz


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    Post by Digz Wed Jul 04, 2018 7:13 am

    ^5s
    vanny
    vanny
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    Post by vanny Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:01 am

    Eggs Sellent!!! Broken bolts Egghea10


    _________________
    “The future will soon be a thing of the past."

    http://public.fotki.com/Vintage-Vans/vintage-vans-es/ruff-diamond-1/?cmd=fs_slideshow
    samsvan
    samsvan


    Number of posts : 672
    Location : Sarasota, Fl.
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    Post by samsvan Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:33 pm

    I'v been hearing my serpentine belt squeaking a little lately and then today, I noticed a lot of vibration when I was idling in gear, like at a stoplight. Turns out it was the same two bolts were broken off again. What would be causing this much stress? My motor is a '92 350 TBI and the only thing not stock is that we re-located the alternator down where the power steering pump used to be so it would clear the doghouse. There is no visible movement when I first bolt it together so whatever is happening takes a while to break the bolts. Any ideas?
    jdlaugh
    jdlaugh


    Number of posts : 298
    Location : Tulsa, OK
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    Post by jdlaugh Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:40 pm

    Could be the pulley is not exactly in-line with the serpentine system. That would cause a squeaking belt and put stress on the bolts.
    donivan65
    donivan65
    Governor
    Governor


    Number of posts : 12218
    Location : San Diego, California
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    Post by donivan65 Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:23 pm

    Are the bolts too long and bottom out so that they are not holding the alternator on REALLY tight? you using grade 8 bolts?
    samsvan
    samsvan


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    Post by samsvan Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:49 pm

    JD, I can't say for sure that everything is factory perfect but when I put a straight edge across the pulleys, they look in line. And Don, luckily the bolts aren't bottomed out. That at least makes them easier to get out. I am using grade 8 bolts and that made me wonder if using regular ones would allow them to stretch a little.
    jrinaman
    jrinaman


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    Post by jrinaman Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:04 pm

    do you have a rear brace? while this may not fit your needs, you could likely find one that does or make one.    https://www.lsxinnovations.com/product/ls-truck-low-mount-alternator-bracket-w-pulley-rear-brace/
    jrinaman
    jrinaman


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    Post by jrinaman Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:08 pm

    panelmanrd
    panelmanrd


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    Post by panelmanrd Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:17 am

    i had to make a braket that bolts to the rear of the alt that went over
    to the motor mount bolt this stops the vibration of the alt and the broken
    bolt thing went away
    samsvan
    samsvan


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    Post by samsvan Mon Dec 17, 2018 8:05 pm

    I actually looked at those ICT brackets but there was some reason I didn't think it would fit. I guess making one is what I'm going to have to do. It looks like so much fun under there, I can hardly wait!
    BILL Carson
    BILL Carson


    Number of posts : 171
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    Broken bolts Empty drill

    Post by BILL Carson Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:42 am

    Thay do have an angle drills to do that
    samsvan
    samsvan


    Number of posts : 672
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    Post by samsvan Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:10 pm

    I got the bracket made and installed after work today. I hope I never have to change out my alternator again...

    Broken bolts Img_1619

    Vanny, can you rotate the picture please?
    vanny
    vanny
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    Post by vanny Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:37 pm

    Not sure if this is the way you wanted it...just let me know...

    Broken bolts Altern10


    _________________
    “The future will soon be a thing of the past."

    http://public.fotki.com/Vintage-Vans/vintage-vans-es/ruff-diamond-1/?cmd=fs_slideshow
    samsvan
    samsvan


    Number of posts : 672
    Location : Sarasota, Fl.
    Age : 61
    Registration date : 2014-09-04

    Broken bolts Empty Re: Broken bolts

    Post by samsvan Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:48 pm

    Spin it a 180. The alternator should be to the left. Thanks brother!

    Like this?
    Broken bolts Altern11
    panelmanrd
    panelmanrd


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    Post by panelmanrd Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:52 am

    mine was very similar but i used one of the bolts at the block
    where the motor mount bolt to, sometimes that bolt shown
    in the pic is challenging to install due to alignment issues
    panelmanrd
    panelmanrd


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    Post by panelmanrd Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:53 am

    should stop the broken bolt issue
    samsvan
    samsvan


    Number of posts : 672
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    Post by samsvan Wed Dec 19, 2018 11:23 am

    sometimes that bolt shown
    in the pic is challenging to install due to alignment issues

    Ha! Tell me about it. My wife had to make the kids stay inside for this one.
    Thanks for spinning the picture Vanny. You're a gentleman.
    panelmanrd
    panelmanrd


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    Post by panelmanrd Wed Dec 19, 2018 3:59 pm

    when i was about 8 years old, my mom suggested
    to my dad that he take me with him golfing one sat
    that was the day i learned how to swear. profusely

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