Leaking gasket between timing cover and block necessitated a teardown. Everything was fine until I got to the 4 long bolts that go through water pump all the way into the block. The two on the passenger side backed out of the block but wouldn't pull through cover until I removed the water pump. They both look to be bent/warped. Bottom bolt on drivers side came out fine, albeit a little rusty on the threads. Top on drivers side snapped the head off flush with water pump as soon as I started trying to work it out. It seems to be seized to the cover, and won't let me pull the cover off. I'm loose everywhere except that top corner. I've rapped on it lightly with a 3 lb hammer, tried to spray penetrating oil on it, and tried to grab it with a set of locking pliers and see if I could spin it to loosen things up. I sprayed it one more time after all that and left it for the night. Any ideas on what I can try if it doesn't cooperate when I go out to the garage tomorrow ?
Heat and prayers are about all I got to offer. Can you weld a nut on it and see where that goes? The heat might do something. You could try drilling it but that's a long way to go and not swerve. I'm guessing it is rusted solid. If it is and it doesn't loosen up, I'd start hunting a new front cover because you might have to destroy that one to get it off.
I don't have a welder at home, and don't have anyone close that could bring one over. I was discussing with a buddy last night and he suggested (as a last resort before destroying things) to drill a few small holes in the cover on top of that bolt and work penetrating oil in through them. He thinks if it works I could use thread sealer on the bolt going back in and JB weld the holes on the cover and be ok. I'm just not sure I'd trust it not to develop a leak and I don't want to do this job again because I tried to save a few bucks versus buying a new cover.
That sounds viable. If you drill holes, you could always take it somewhere to be TIG welded back. It would good as new. I'd even trust those low-temp aluminum rods for that since it wouldn't be structural but sealing.
I typically take a map gas torch and heat the cover in the area the bolts pass through and give is a couple smacks with a hammer. The aluminum expands faster than steel and more. Might take a couple cycles but I've never had one I couldn't get off with this method
That's the plan of attack for tonight's session. I walked away last night before it could piss me off enough to ruin my evening.
Good idea on walking away! I do the same thing I say “Fock this” and walk away and think of things before I make it worse
Me too! That's when I get online and start watching youtube videos while waiting for one of the Buick geniuses here to show me a better/easier way. We are a very eclectic group and lots of knowledge here.
Well the torch didn't get me anywhere either. I did multiple rounds of heating, rapped on the cover and the end of the bolt with the 3 lbs hammer, and tightened my vice grips down as tight as I was physically able to with both hands and they still just spun around on the shaft. Hit it with the penetrating oil again and sat down with a beer. I just put a post out on a local C10 truck group I'm in on Facebook looking for someone that does mobile welding. Hoping if someone welds a nut to it I can try again with a ratchet or breaker bar. If no one steps up to the post looking for a welder I'll try the heat routine again tomorrow night.
Try the ice cube trick. Heat the area and bolt and then take an ice cube and touch only the bolt. Try to not touch anything other than the bolt with that cube. This method has worked for me every time i've tried it. I've never tried it for the situation you're in but who knows , you may get lucky.
I don't think the bolt actually threads into the cover, it just passes through? I would use the map gas on the cover only, and then muscle the cover forward, trying to keep it flat? Haven't been in this exact spot. Probably just corrosion in the case holding it together...
I think I'm fighting corrosion and a bent/warped shaft. If it were just corrosion I feel like it would be free by now. I've done multiple rounds of heat, penetrating oil, and hammer to free it up. It hasn't budged at all. Not even with two of the biggest flat tip screwdrivers I could get prying out as close as I could get on either side of it. I had a guy from the FB post that said he can bring over an induction heater and welder Saturday. If the heater doesn't free it up we'll weld a nut to the part that's sticking out and I'll see if I can get it turning with my breaker bar.
Corrosion has a tighter grip than you think, the aluminum has corroded and filled the space between the shaft of the bolt and the hole, and it’s impacted in there TIGHT! Try what Max Damage said.
Last one I did I was finally able to drive some type of wedge in between the cover & block & even then took quite awhile/effort to get the cover off but IIRC the cover was saved.
Had someone on Facebook suggest this tool. Had my wife grab one this morning while she was out. Going to get this clamped down good and tight then heat the cover again before I try to see if it will spin. I'm not holding my breath but for $25 I figure it's worth a shot.
