Broken Bolt...

OK...I have a bit of a problem.

I finally got the time to continue with my gasket replacements...so I decided todo the timing cover gasket. It all came apart fine (3rd time now) until I got to the balancer... I put a bolt in the center of the balancer removal tool so it would reach the back wall of the crank that had a smaller diameter (same bolt I have used 3 times before) than the original bolt so I could pull the balancer off (if you have done this job before you know what Im talking about). Well...the bolt bent and broke. Its not threaded in or anything because its smaller, but it is still out of reach and I am assuming wedged in there as well. How do I go about getting the damn thing out.

It may be a little easier to get it out once I get the balancer off, but the rented tool from autozone was a piece of crap and it broke. So I have to wait until tomorrow anyways to TRY to find another one, but does anyone have any suggerstions on how to get it out?

Off the subject... Im looking for a good all around silicone touse with the intake, water pump, and timing cover and was thinking about just going with Permatex Ultra Copper High-Temp RTV Silicone since I already have it. What kind of silicon does everyone use for various jobs?

If im understanding you correctly, your saying that you went to unscrew a bolt, and the head broke off (head and psoobily part of the bolt). IF that is the case, thats not a hard task. They make a broken bolt remover bit for a drill, and it works great. I broke a bolt off on my 307 by the oil pan, and that tool worked like a charm.


If thats not what your tlaking about, well consider this food for thought :D

nope...thats not it, lol

I put a smaller bolt in the hole that the bigger bolt was in...to help force the balancer off the crank. The small bolt bent and broke.

poke at it to loosen it with a magnetised screw driver and then pull it out.

John

As of now it seems too stuck to do that. I'll get it off tomorrow though and hopefully I can work the bolt loose.

For the first part of your question, FormulaLT1 gave you the best advice with the info provided.

For the second part, the RTV silicone gasket maker (in the red tube) is perfectly fine. Thats what i have always used on all of my cars and I have yet to have a problem with something leaking.

Rob

First use a hammer and a punch to try to loosen it, then try using a magnet like Formula said, it's worth a try...

Id like to thank everyone who tried to help, but I got it out. Formula, you were right about the magnetic screwdriver. Once I got the balancer off it was easy to get at it, so I pried it loose and took it out. Now I'll continue on with attempting to get the oil pan unbolted and get the timing cover off. FUN STUFF!!!!

Does anyone know where I could buy some of the black underbody bumper screws? Maybe I'll just go get some stainless steel bolts and washers....

A Chevy dealer should have any screws that your missing. As long as your not doing any fab work.

John