Removing head studs

[rcnotes]

What is the procedure for removing head studs?

I though about using a heat gun to heat the surrounding area on the case then using compressed air in a can upside down at the base of the stud to freeze it.

Vise grip to loosen.

Any comments, suggestions?

I'm asking because my case needs machining on the cylinder registers due to deck heights that are way out of whack (.020) between #3 and #4.

One opinion says to do the machining with the studs in and the other with them out. Both are from experienced machinists.

[Westy78]

Lots of soaking with a good penetrant. Heat the area and then soak to draw it down into the threads. Then vice grips at the base of the stud as you tap the top with a hammer to set up a vibration and break loose the corrosion. Watch not to jack up the threads. The vice grips at the base of the stud is important. They have a lot of torsional flex and using the grips at the top you will lose a lot of force. This got all but one stud out of the case I was taking them from.

[rcnotes]

I've soaked the base of the studs with copious amount of PB Blaster and oil.

Man, they are a bi**h to get loose!

Need bigger vise grips.

[Westy78]

Man, they are a bi**h to get loose!

Yes, yes they are. Try the taping with the hammer while turning the vice grips. That's what finally got mine to break loose.

[bottomend]

Tapping is an old mechanic "trick". It works on all kinds of stuck bolts. You dont need to tap very hard, but you do need to tap alot. Maybe 100 BPM ( beats per minute) or so for 5-10 minutes.

[rcnotes]

OK

Lube
Heat
Lube
Tap
Freeze
Tap 100 times

I'll need at least four hands

thanks for all the tips I was aware of all of them, but was looking for the "magic"

Well, there ain't no magic, it's all hard work

[Amskeptic]

If you have major visegrip chew marks on the studs, replace them.
Colin

[busman78]

Vise Grips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about a tool made to remove studs? There really is a stud removing tool, craftsman, Snap-On, MAC and many others sell them. It requires a 1/2" drive ratchet or breaker bar. It works, easier, little to no skid marks on the studs. Oh yea, it also installs them.

[rcnotes]

Other than a Vise Grip, this special head stud removal tool is known as.. what?

Which of the vendors you mentioned has this tool for sale? I would gladly pay for a tool that eases the pain of head stud removal.

Most stripped, broken or ornery studs I've dealt with are removed by locking two nuts against each other and using a socket wrench after a generous application of PB Blaster and maybe some heat.

Head studs are a different animal that seem to held in a death grip in that soft aluminum shell

Vise Grips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about a tool made to remove studs? There really is a stud removing tool, craftsman, Snap-On, MAC and many others sell them. It requires a 1/2" drive ratchet or breaker bar. It works, easier, little to no skid marks on the studs. Oh yea, it also installs them.

[busman78]

Stud Extrators or Removers are for non threaded shank studs, like head studs. The short full threaded studs are a double nut afair, sometimes a three nut monster.

Sears has them, go to www.sears.com, tools, type in stud remover in the search box. About $26

KD Tools Stud Extrator 1708 around $30
MAC Tools Stud Remover SR20A $Ouch
Snap-On & S&K has them $Ouch

They all cover get down to about 1/4" through 3/4".

A broken stud is a drilling job.

The one I use is a Craftsman, about 30 years old now, works on the T4 studs which have got to be the toughest head studs in a AC engine.

[Amskeptic]

Vise Grips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey buddy,
iddat a "vise grips!!!" like
yaaayy =D> !,
or
iddat a "vise grips??????????????????????"
yamoron?

How about a tool made to remove studs?

Oh, well, see, summofus can't afford that schmanzyfancy hoity-toity Stud Remover Tool so we double nut the end of the head stud AND leather-wrap visegrip the shank. Ain't been thwarted yet. Yet.
Colin