While installing my headers one of the bolts broke off inside the head. What's my best option to get it out? Thanks for all the help

 

How much of the bolt, if any, is exposed. Can you post up a pic?

 

Try and grab it with vise grips or pliers if it will come out easily. If not then ur gonna have to drill into it and use an extractor.

 

x2 its easy

 

None showing at al! I have reverse bits I'm going to try tomorrow and get another set of header bolts!

 

What exactly is an extractor? How would that work?

 

http://www.madelectrical.com/worksho...en-bolts.shtml

This is a pretty good article with pics on removing bolts

 

its a tool that looks almost like a drill bit. most of them you drill a small pilot hole for something to bite into, then use this reverse threaded tapered "bit" to back it out of the hole. I have used one before and that work really good. any auto zone or hardware store should have them.

 

Though I've never tried it, I've heard it helps to warm up the engine before trying to remove the broken bult in the head. The theory is that the bolt hole will expand a hair bit more than the bolt inside it and thus providing a looser grip. Like I said though, I've never tried it.

FWIW, I've never been a fan of those "ez-out" type removers. I've never had much luck with them.

Worst case scenario....drill, rethread, helicoil, call it a day.

 

A drill hole and an extractor is the first thing to try. If you haven't used one, I'd practice on a junk lawnmower engine or some such to get a feel for it. Making it work is equal parts skill, art, and luck. Getting the hole centered and straight is important!

Sometimes the broken bolt is real easy to extract because its not tightened against anything. Other times the threads are seized up real good and you remember all your profanity at once! By all means use some heat and maybe some penetrating oil.

Pick up a full set of extractors, otherwise Murphy will make sure you bring home the wrong size.

Good luck!!