Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

About a month ago I installed a new cylinder head gasket on a ‘28 Phaeton. Torqued all head bolts down per the recommended procedure with no issues after a few short rides. Today I noticed a small amount of coolant seeping through the threads of the rear center bolt. Got my torque wrench out to see what was going on and found the threads are stripped on that bolt, won’t tighten and won’t remove, just turns. This I weird since I’m positive that bolt was torqued to an eventual 55# with no issue. So far the head gasket is still good but I’m stumped on how to remove the bolt and install a new one.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Which thread is stripped - the one in the block or the one at the top of the stud?
Does the stud turn when you turn the nut? If so, it is the one in the block that is stripped.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Appears to be just the nut stripped, the stud does not turn.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

You may have to try a Nut Spitter. Then check the threads on the stud closely before installing a new nut.

Snyder's has Grade 8 head nuts and Chrome Moly studs.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Be good idea to drain coolant before removing nut ... You do not want coolant in oil pan.

Actually drain now before coolant leaks into oil pan from loose nut.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Several years ago I bought a set of head nuts from a local Ford parts supplier (no longer in business). As I got to the required torque the nuts just kept turning. He probably got the nuts from Home Depot. If your nuts were all from the same batch I think I would replace all of them.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

That's good news. If it were stripped in the block, I would have fixed it by inserting a helicoil. That means head off and since it is right at the back of the block, access may be too restricted so it might have meant engine out of the car. If you can remove the stud without removing the head, it is an easy fix - just put in a new stud.
If you are having trouble removing the stud, you might consider welding the nut to the stud, then turning it out while hoping like heck that it doesn't break. An inspection of the stripped thread once you get it out will tell you if it is the thread on the stud or in the nut that is gone. If the nut, I'd do as suggested and replace them all, if the stud, I'd consider doing the same, depending on how lucky you are feeling. (Shades of Clint Eastwood!!)

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Agree with 909. Once the set/seal is broken on the gasket, any gasket, it is nearly impossible to get it back right. Start from scratch and do it right. And as said, drain coolant Now. If only fluid is leaking I would take the chance and not replace the head gasket.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Loosening only one stud will not affect the head gasket. I had a stud strip in the block but didn't back then, have the helicoils to fix it. I left it loose and drove 25 miles to a friend's place where I fixed it, retorqued the stud and drove on. No trouble since.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Thanks this is all good advice, have drained the radiator and will see if I can get the stud out.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Instead of pulling the stud, get the nut off FIRST and inspect the threads ! ! If you get lucky you might just need a nut. JMO
Paul in CT

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Use a small cutting wheel or dremel and try to carefully split the nut off before pulling head,rethread and try another nut.

Re: Help removing a stripped head bolt
 

Yes, use a Dremel with a cutting wheel and cut slices from front and back, not the sides. The nut will look like a D after you cut the first side off just close to the threads. Then cut the other side and use a loose vice grip to remove the nut. If you are lucky it will split.