Thermostat allen key bolts

[fix]

I should have the bottom end rebuilt on my 2.1 engine soon and have started to look at the heads, i will be re seating the valves etc.,

Ive noticed the metal thermostat housing is abit worn where the thermostat sits and i think it will leak, if i have to i can try some jb weld etc but i would rather do a propper job and replace the housing with a new plastic one. The problem is i cant get the thing off the head!

The allen key bolts that hold it on are screwed there is no chance of using an allen key on them. Ive also tried some plus gas, heat and mole grips with no joy.

Other than drilling them out is my only other option trying to weld a bolt on and try removing them?

Thanks

[dugwiththevwbug]

try by whatever means to cut a slot in them and use a large flat headed screwdriver.
or knock in an oversize star headed allen socket.
works for me

[fix]

Cheers i think ill have a go with a bigger star key as i have some i can put on a ratchet to get some decent force on them.

Its so annoying when previous owners decide to re use naffed bolts etc!

[jamesc76]

welding a nut on um works really well as the heat penetrates the threads !

[fix]

Ive tried alot of heat already which doesnt seem to have helped.

I think ill try a star key which isnt going to do any harm, then if that doesnt work ill weld a bolt on.

Thanks

[Aidan]

Irwins

that's a syncro thermostat housing

[fix]

Whats irwins?

Yep its a syncro housing just abit worn, abit of shame as other than abit of metal missing round where the thermostat sits its in good condition.

[Aidan]

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... t-grip-set
with both sets you have everything that we use, apart from the hub nuts, covered

[fix]

Ah i see, didnt know you could get sockets like that. Are they likely to get out allen key bolts?

Ive tried a bigger star key with no luck, will try welding a bolt on. I thought as a last resort to try and drill the bolts out and use a reverse tapper my mate has, but theres alot of bolt to drill out!

[jamesc76]

those erwins are good they grip the head very well worth a set just to keep in the tool box, snap an (not so ) easy out and your in trouble! there buggers to get out when snapped (and often do!)

[fix]

I might get a set just for emergencies, its a pain when you cant get bolts out and want a job finished!

I take it you hammer them on tight around the bolt? How the hell do you get the things off again?

What do you mean about snapping easy outs James ive lost you?

[jamesc76]

easy outs snap very easy, lost count how many I've got out for mates etc, there very hard steel so cant just drill um out! The erwins have a opposit course thread/flute in them just put ratchet on undo and they bite into the head as you tun it, I have every size they have, used um loads and never had one break!!

[fix]

Ah i see what you mean, ive never tried easy outs before.

So these will work with round heads like allen keys aswell as standard bolts? If so ill get some ordered, they sound essential for old vans like ours!

[Aidan]

no they will not work that's why I suggested them and put the link up



I have used these countless times to extract cv bolts, phillips headed screws, studs, bolts, nutz etc.............




I give up

[jamesc76]

to be honest I have never used um on allen bolts, and mine are in the garage, 3 locks on the door 2 on the toll box and a car to move cant go and have a look if there tapered! Well worth there money tho! Its a bit late now but I always wang penetrating oil on um after cleaning out the heads, then hammer the correct size allen bit (bit set not cak allen keys!) giving it a really good whack in often frees up any dirt and they undo! The other option use a sharp chisel and tap them round, or grind/cut etc the head off remove the housing and then they might undo with mole grips???