I never seen my wedge in this too bad situation
Discussion
I presume you will be using a tank cutter to get the old bolts out?
I had to get one of these made some years ago to get the bolts out of a Lamborghini V12. I think the company that made it for me was the Headstone Cutter (or Tool) Company based in Harrow, Middlesex.
It turned out that the proprietor had owned thefirst Lamborghini in this country! I should imagine he has probably retired now, but hopefully the company still exists.
I had to get one of these made some years ago to get the bolts out of a Lamborghini V12. I think the company that made it for me was the Headstone Cutter (or Tool) Company based in Harrow, Middlesex.
It turned out that the proprietor had owned thefirst Lamborghini in this country! I should imagine he has probably retired now, but hopefully the company still exists.
dickymint said:
No, I'm stupid, I know, I used the originals (16 years old) 
now the garage will replace it by stainless ones
I would not use stainless bolts. Snap one of those and your realy in trouble!
>> Edited by dickymint on Tuesday 1st March 15:58
With new threads?
You only have to do it once, the stainless will blunt ordinary drill bits in seconds - even with coolant. You then have to upgrade to a larger drill size in Cobolt, and everything is one size up. just use proper exhaust studs and brass nuts, just like Alfa have done on thier alloy heads since 1940 you know it makes sense.
-jim
-jim
My car has stainless bolts in now: it shouldn't be a problem as long as you stick to the correct torque settings and don't monkey them too tight - which is the usual cure for a blowing gasket, and the reason why mine had so many duff ones 
Stainless is less likely to corrode into the alloy, too...
Stainless is less likely to corrode into the alloy, too...
Well, I'm not too sure. Don't forget the aluminium corrodes and basically welds the bolts in. I would have thought that stainless bolts would be difficult to DRILL out. The secret here is to use the tank cutter as mentioned - this CUTS AROUND the bolts/studs and down into the head/block as necessary leaving you to rethread and fix with new bolts/studs accordingly.
I accept I am not a very techie person, but I have come across one or two things that may be of use!
>> Edited by firefox1712 on Tuesday 1st March 18:27
I accept I am not a very techie person, but I have come across one or two things that may be of use!
>> Edited by firefox1712 on Tuesday 1st March 18:27
firefox1712 said:
Well, I'm not too sure. Don't forget the aluminium corrodes and basically welds the bolts in. I would have thought that stainless bolts would be difficult to DRILL out. The secret here is to use the tank cutter as mentioned - this CUTS AROUND the bolts/studs and down into the head/block as necessary leaving you to rethread and fix with new bolts/studs accordingly.
I accept I am not a very techie person, but I have come across one or two things that may be of use!
>> Edited by firefox1712 on Tuesday 1st March 18:27
I'm intrigued to know more about this "tank cutter" JJ (only tank cutter i know about is for cutting holes in thin plate - like a hole saw).
Would also reccomend slopping on some high temperature copper slip.
Well Dicky - 'tis like this:-
Back in 84/85 ish, I had put my Lamborghini in the care of an engineer that I trusted (at that time!!!), for a top end overhaul on both banks under the presumption that we had a blown gasket. With Lamborghinis there is sometimes (if not often) some difficulty in getting the cylinder heads off, even when trying to lever them off using the specially cast moulding in the block/head to get a purchase on.
With aluminium alloy heads and blocks there is corrosion in the bolt holes and possibly some reaction between the two metals which means that heads just won't come off. The bolts effectively become welded in.
After contacting Del Hopkins, Lamborghini UK mechanical guru, he advised using a tank cutter to CUT down AROUND the bolts. He said that was what he always did to get the heads off. I borrowed Del's and it was necessary to make a copy of it. The company that made the new tool was Headstone Cutter Company (I think) of Harrow, Middlesex.
The tool is essentially a long high tensile steel tube with a toothed end for cutting purposes, of the appropriate measurement to suit, with a means for turning the item and so cut into the head/block.
Sadly, due to the incompetence of the mechanic, the car lay unattended and unfixed for a rather long period, and I eventually had to forcibly repossess it and then ultimately I had to sell it in bits because nobody wanted to take on someone else's dismantled, part-done jigsaw of a job! Just to make it worse, it also took ages to get Del Hokins' cutter back and return it to him - and at the end of the day he didn't think very highly of me!
The heads, however, did come off!
JJ
Back in 84/85 ish, I had put my Lamborghini in the care of an engineer that I trusted (at that time!!!), for a top end overhaul on both banks under the presumption that we had a blown gasket. With Lamborghinis there is sometimes (if not often) some difficulty in getting the cylinder heads off, even when trying to lever them off using the specially cast moulding in the block/head to get a purchase on.
With aluminium alloy heads and blocks there is corrosion in the bolt holes and possibly some reaction between the two metals which means that heads just won't come off. The bolts effectively become welded in.
After contacting Del Hopkins, Lamborghini UK mechanical guru, he advised using a tank cutter to CUT down AROUND the bolts. He said that was what he always did to get the heads off. I borrowed Del's and it was necessary to make a copy of it. The company that made the new tool was Headstone Cutter Company (I think) of Harrow, Middlesex.
The tool is essentially a long high tensile steel tube with a toothed end for cutting purposes, of the appropriate measurement to suit, with a means for turning the item and so cut into the head/block.
Sadly, due to the incompetence of the mechanic, the car lay unattended and unfixed for a rather long period, and I eventually had to forcibly repossess it and then ultimately I had to sell it in bits because nobody wanted to take on someone else's dismantled, part-done jigsaw of a job! Just to make it worse, it also took ages to get Del Hokins' cutter back and return it to him - and at the end of the day he didn't think very highly of me!
The heads, however, did come off!
JJ
I removed my near side manifold last weekend, and much to my suprise, none of the bolts were seized. However, access to them with the engine in situ is a pain, I really needed double jointed child sized hands to gain access and use my spanners. Anyway the new manifold is on, and I am in the process of refitting the exhaust.
I did in the name of science start her up without the exhaust attached !! Pro fuel dragster sounds anyone ?? Please pass me the loudest wedge award at BBWF !! (until Stainlees Steve gets his 660 !!)
Regards
Nige'
I did in the name of science start her up without the exhaust attached !! Pro fuel dragster sounds anyone ?? Please pass me the loudest wedge award at BBWF !! (until Stainlees Steve gets his 660 !!)
Regards
Nige'
Toutes mes condoléances... je viens juste de récupérer ma 390SE après 3 semaines d'immobilisation chez divers garagistes (freins et cablages électriques) et c'est toujours un déchirement de voir une voiture faite pour rouler dans cet état.
Une question au passage, votre 400SE est immatriculée comme une 400SE ou comme une 350i ? (j'ai réussi à faire immatriculer ma 390 mais comme une 350i)
Une question au passage, votre 400SE est immatriculée comme une 400SE ou comme une 350i ? (j'ai réussi à faire immatriculer ma 390 mais comme une 350i)
Badcow said:
Toutes mes condoléances... je viens juste de récupérer ma 390SE après 3 semaines d'immobilisation chez divers garagistes (freins et cablages électriques) et c'est toujours un déchirement de voir une voiture faite pour rouler dans cet état.
Une question au passage, votre 400SE est immatriculée comme une 400SE ou comme une 350i ? (j'ai réussi à faire immatriculer ma 390 mais comme une 350i)
or try this
All my condolences... I come just to recover my 390SE after 3 weeks of immobilization with various mechanics (brakes and electric cablages) and this always is a tearing to see a car done to roll in this state.
A question to the passage, your 400SE is registered as a 400SE or as a 350I? (I succeeded doing to register my 390 but as a 350I)
My French is a bit limited, so here goes,
Vive La Wedges, oui !!
Je ne comprend pas ?
fait le plain, avec super sil vous plait !!
Voules vous verifier l'huil Sil vous plait ?
Je suis un rock star .....
Voulez vous touchez avec mois c'est ca (for the laydeez only !!)
Apologies to our Wedge loving French compatriots, my appalling standards of your language is purely down to the lack of investment in education by the Thatcher Government !! And the fact that my French teacher was crap !!!
Vive La Wedges, oui !!
Je ne comprend pas ?
fait le plain, avec super sil vous plait !!
Voules vous verifier l'huil Sil vous plait ?
Je suis un rock star .....
Voulez vous touchez avec mois c'est ca (for the laydeez only !!)
Apologies to our Wedge loving French compatriots, my appalling standards of your language is purely down to the lack of investment in education by the Thatcher Government !! And the fact that my French teacher was crap !!!
Well broadside, I think your last comment in French should be -
Voulez vous couchez avec moi ce soir!
I knew I should have married my French girlfriend - my first love of course! Now, would you believe it, I live opposite the house where she was the au pair.
Edited to correct verb construction.
Au pair corrected as per instruction below!
>> Edited by firefox1712 on Thursday 3rd March 07:48
>> Edited by firefox1712 on Thursday 3rd March 10:24
Voulez vous couchez avec moi ce soir!
I knew I should have married my French girlfriend - my first love of course! Now, would you believe it, I live opposite the house where she was the au pair.
Edited to correct verb construction.
Au pair corrected as per instruction below!
>> Edited by firefox1712 on Thursday 3rd March 07:48
>> Edited by firefox1712 on Thursday 3rd March 10:24
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