EZ Out or Helicoil?

[Passages]

Removing heat exchanger for proper cleaning.

While removing the cover plate to access the Hx, two of the bolts were rust welded to the coolant tank and snapped off. Tried PB Blaster, light hammer tapping and vice grips on the exposed nub but no luck.

Now it's either EZ out or Helicoil. I'd rather use an EZ Out but I'm worried about breaking the bit in the block which would make redrilling darn near impossible.

I'm open to suggestions

 

[jmooney]

If you have a flat surface perpendicular to the broken bolts , use a magnetic based drill , they are usually 1/2 inch, but I have rented a 3/8 Bosch which is much lighter. I have been lucky enough to get a bolt out that looked like a cigarette wrapper. It usually doesn’t end up that way most of the time , but if you can drill straight through, this process usually loosens the bolt and and allows you to use an easy out and preserves the threads . If you think that the threads are compromised, I think it’s always better to then use helicoils .

 

[oscarvan]

Weld a bolt on to it.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

That area is thin enough without opening it up for a helicoil. If you’ve got the HX off the boat, a machine shop might be your best choice. If you bust an easy-out a machine shop might be your best choice.

 

[dsharp]

I don’t think you’ll have much luck with an ease out other than to break it off . I’ve had the best luck filing the bolt down flat then drill it out with a left hand bit. Then roll the thread in with a small chisel. If you get most of it out you can chase the threads with a tap. Is it a Detroit?

 

[Avenger]

Easy Out is the tool naming equivalent of Smart Car. It is neither.

 

[dottieshusband]

My machinist brother in law trained me to use a left handed drill bit, and thru drill the broken bolt to thin wall, then use a traditional screw extractor. Works for me!