Snapped Bolts

Kevyn · 05-06-2011, 08:28 AM

Hey Im currently working on a 13b that hasnt been touched in almost ten years. I went to take of the thermostat housing and BOTH bolts snapped. Any ideas?

Pete_89T2 · 05-06-2011, 09:12 AM

For prevention of snapped bolts on any old engine, spray the fasteners down liberally with PB-blaster or an equivalent penetrating lube and let them soak a good long time before even thinking about trying to loosen anything.

For bolts you've already snapped, you'll need to get the appropriate sized screw extractor kit to get them out (after applying the PB Blaster)

FerociousP · 05-06-2011, 10:12 AM

drill and tap bigger bolt
or
try to extract using.... extractor
or
replace water pump housing

Kevyn · 05-06-2011, 12:52 PM

is the water pump housing expensive?

Pete_89T2 · 05-06-2011, 01:12 PM

New - yes, but these are pretty easy & cheap to find used. Just make sure you get one for your correct series FC. But this should be your last option.

Extracting the snapped bolt isn't too hard to do with a quality extractor kit. Process is basically drill a hole in the center of the snapped stud, insert the extractor bit in the hole and twist that sucker out. As you turn the extractor (counter clockwise, as if loosening a bolt), it digs in harder & deeper to the stuck snapped bolt, and will eventually break it loose so it will thread out all the way.

05-06-2011, 08:28 AM	#1
Kevyn Converted Rotary Lover Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mooresville, NC iTrader: (0) Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	Snapped Bolts Hey Im currently working on a 13b that hasnt been touched in almost ten years. I went to take of the thermostat housing and BOTH bolts snapped. Any ideas?

05-06-2011, 10:12 AM	#3
FerociousP I-had-a-bad-experience... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: M'boro iTrader: (2) Posts: 1,046 Rep Power: 18	drill and tap bigger bolt or try to extract using.... extractor or replace water pump housing __________________ '15 Juke Nismo '06 MX-5 GT SOLD '04 S Silver RX-8 GT Track Day Use SOLD '90 Black TII vert w/ Sprint RE stock port/turbo DD dyno (242.6whp@5500rpm @12psi 8psi@redline) and (250ftlbtq@4800rpm @13psi) SOLD '89 GTUs 6p TII SOLD, '87 sport SOLD, '79 SA stock SOLD '91 B2600i 4x4 w/ Rx-8 LSD SOLD

05-06-2011, 09:12 AM	#2
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD iTrader: (1) Posts: 874 Rep Power: 15	For prevention of snapped bolts on any old engine, spray the fasteners down liberally with PB-blaster or an equivalent penetrating lube and let them soak a good long time before even thinking about trying to loosen anything. For bolts you've already snapped, you'll need to get the appropriate sized screw extractor kit to get them out (after applying the PB Blaster)

05-06-2011, 12:52 PM	#4
Kevyn Converted Rotary Lover Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mooresville, NC iTrader: (0) Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	is the water pump housing expensive?

05-06-2011, 01:12 PM	#5
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD iTrader: (1) Posts: 874 Rep Power: 15	New - yes, but these are pretty easy & cheap to find used. Just make sure you get one for your correct series FC. But this should be your last option. Extracting the snapped bolt isn't too hard to do with a quality extractor kit. Process is basically drill a hole in the center of the snapped stud, insert the extractor bit in the hole and twist that sucker out. As you turn the extractor (counter clockwise, as if loosening a bolt), it digs in harder & deeper to the stuck snapped bolt, and will eventually break it loose so it will thread out all the way.