Missing header bolts?

Check this crap out! The left side header decided it didn't like having the last 2 bolts anymore and they backed all the way out, grew some legs and ran away! The shop the car is at now quoted me almost a $1000.00 to replace 2 damn bolts becasue getting to them is such a pain in the ass. Anyone know any trick to getting at these things with out ripping 1/2 the engine apart?

I need some serious help people...


-Marc-

why not go to a local parts store, pick up a full set of header bolts for under $12 and do it yourself? this is assuming the threads are good. its not really that hard to get to those 2 bolt holes, even with AC and everything.

It's funny cause the 2 front bolts on the right header came out and I replaced those with no problem but I can't even see these missing bolts in back of the left header! those F*ckers are WAY the hell down there. I have a feeling if I do this it's going to be a weekend long project :blah:

Better a weekend long project than a 1000$ bill!!!

Better a weekend long project than a 1000$ bill!!!


Very true! I just don;t want to screw anything up ya know. I'm not very savy when it comes to projects like this...granted I'm not an idiot but this involves a lot. F-it, maybe it will be a good learning experiance for me.


-Marc-

Before you start, get a flashlight and a mirror and try to see if the bolts are just missing, or actually broken off in the holes. It's very common for exhaust bolts to seize to the head and snap when removed....that may be why they quoted you such a high price. Removing broken bolts would involve pulling the head...there's no room for a drill and tap under that brake booster.

i think the company is irvin, they make a bolt extractor thats like a tapered socket that cuts into the bolt head, if u get one the right size u might be able to use it on the threads of the bolt

of course use alot of liquid wrench

that is of course if the bolts are broken off in the head

if ur having trouble reaching them from under the hood, maybe try under the car, might be easier

Marc, I used allen head bolts (socket headed cap screws). I can get to the last 2 bolts pretty easily and I still have all my AC crap, I do not however have all my emissions stuff. Is that what you are trying to get around because its not THAT hard to get to the last 2 unless all that crap is in the way.

a good question to ask is which side are you looking at? you said left but is that left looking at the motor or from the driver seat? I know your supposed to do it from the driver seat but when i posted the other day I was thinking left from looking at the motor, so is it driver side or passenger side? either way, getting to the bolts in my car isnt hard at all and im wondering why it would be hard in your car. Maybe the headers are just shaped different, mine are easy to get to its just that you have to use small wrenches.

I meant left if you're standing in front of the car looking at the engine. I was wondering if it would be easier to just take the fender off and try to get at them that way...but i doubt that will work :blah:

I'm picking up the car tonight (in the rain) and when the weather clears up a bit i'll see if I can get at these little F'ers! I hope to god they're not broken off inside the head, that would suck! :eek:

-Marc-

the outer fender wont help you but the inner fender might help, just the brakes and strut in the way that all

If you want to pull the inner fender you'll need a cutting torch, and a welder to put it back on. These are unibody cars, remember?

sorry i meant simply the inner fender liner, just the plastic cover, not the actual inner fender

i took out my iner fender liner in the process of changing my k-member and i have a surprising amount of access to the exhaust side of the passenger head, of course this could be because of a tubular k-member, but hey its worth a shot

sorry i meant simply the inner fender liner, just the plastic cover, not the actual inner fender

i took out my iner fender liner in the process of changing my k-member and i have a surprising amount of access to the exhaust side of the passenger head, of course this could be because of a tubular k-member, but hey its worth a shot


I'll chack that out! Thanks :D

jack the car up, pull the starter if you need to. BAM, back to bolts right there in front of you. use allen head bolts and a short allen wrench and you'll have no problem.

marc, I should mention that I had to fabricate an allen wrench that would work. I REALLY recommend the allen head bolts for this as its quick and easy to tighten them and there is almost NO possibility of stripping them out.

I do have a friend in boston that could help if you need girl hands :)

let me guess, you had to hack off the last inch or so of an allen wrench to be able to get enough range of motion out of it?