Topic: REAL TIME HELP - Snapped bolt head on tranny stiffing plate

[Ranski]

There are two bolts holding the stiffing plate to the engine block.  I snapped the head off one of them.  Can I get by with one?  I'm thinking the bell housing bolts and bell housing will hold the plate in place once everything is all back together.

OR should I drill the bolt out and put in new. I was really wanting to finish the tranny swap tonight.

w56 to 22re

[Willy Mammoth]

You should be able to get away with out it, but it is much stronger with them in there.
If the threads are not tight you should be able to get it out without too much work.

Drill and easy out or weld thru a nut and back it out after it cools.

[Ranski [OP]]

It appears that with the one good bolt in combination wiht tranny mounting alignment pin, the plate is locked in position and won't shift to where the plate rubs on the crankshaft...which is my main concern. The only thing that might bite me in the butt at a later date is the plate rattling.  But I appears once the tranny is in place it should be OK.

The bolt broke below flush on the engine block so I can't weld a bolt on which would require me to drill and easy out.

Wish me luck and thanks for the quick response

[79coyotefrg]

on a 22R  i wouldnt worry about it

[jimbo74]

it will be fine without it, if it really bothers you though, the drill and easy out would probably work

[kneedownnate]

You can also try getting a couple reverse rotation drill bits.  Run it slow and it may catch the broken bolt and pull it back out.  You'd be surprised how well this works sometimes.

[olemisstoy88]

Im with nate try to use a drill and some reverse rotation bits. just take your time.

[Weldo]

My 22re only had one bolt anyway.  That's how it was from the factory I guess.  I have no rattles or anything.  BTW I've never had an easy out work for me.  I've tried various bolt extractors and I always end up breaking the damn thing off in the hole.

[sephy]

I have a mixed opinion about those reverse rotation drill bits.  There've been occasions where they have worked for me and others where they have broken quite easily -- even while taking my time.

Usually what has worked best for me is to slowly drill a hole into the broken bolt then manage to make myself a slot to insert a tool and back it out that way.  Once it is out enough I just grab it with a pair of vise-grips and back that sucker out.