Ok human v. torx round seven: Got the dremel extension plus two different types of carbide grinding stones plus two very thin bolt-cutting-strength utility saws plus a mini torch. I HATE TORX!! I'm going to order the Hex-head bolt set from Totally Stainless today - does anyone know where I can find the anti-seize compound that has more the consistency of gojo (I saw this on a TPI video) without ordering it from the company that made the video?? I hate that stuff that's all silvery and sticks to everything. Thanks a lot just thought I'd share my feelings about these particular type of bolts - whoever designed them should be raped with a giant one IMHO...

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89 Iroc-Z LB9 305 TPI auto 2.73 posi:
3" Dynomax "cat" back,K&N filters, TB bypass, 3" pipe in place of cat, cleaned and flow-matched injectors, 170' thermo, mild ignition mods, synthetic oil, kicker sound system, soon to have 3.73 posi...

 

Does anyone know what the best carbide bits are for grinding these bolts? I broke the silicon carbide one and the aluminum oxide one is wearing down FAST. Thanks for any input...

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89 Iroc-Z LB9 305 TPI auto 2.73 posi:
3" Dynomax "cat" back,K&N filters, TB bypass, 3" pipe in place of cat, cleaned and flow-matched injectors, 170' thermo, mild ignition mods, synthetic oil, kicker sound system, soon to have 3.73 posi...

 

that would be the blowtorchandbigfreakinhammer bit...no just kidding...can u find anything with diamond in it? I bet it would hold up for a while...im assuming you stripped a torx in a very crappy place...why dont you cut a groove in the head to make it look like a flathead screw...then grab an impact driver and beat that bitch off. and if it doesnt work it'll probably beat the crap out of the torx and make it that much easier to bust off with a grinder

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350, Comp 262, Edelbrock Performer intake 600 cfm carb and exhaust, headers

 

Thanks for the impact idea! I don't have one but I can use a giant flathead screwdriver we have...I'm a little humbled right now since the torx seem to be winning right now - well tonight begins round 8...lol

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89 Iroc-Z LB9 305 TPI auto 2.73 posi:
3" Dynomax "cat" back,K&N filters, TB bypass, 3" pipe in place of cat, cleaned and flow-matched injectors, 170' thermo, mild ignition mods, synthetic oil, kicker sound system, soon to have 3.73 posi...

 

Weld a Hex head Bolt To it.



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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Z28 LG4 - Daily Driver
**Mods**
MSD Superconductors
14" Open Element
KYB all around

 

Can I use a regular torch to do it or do i need an actual welding torch? You have no idea how many times i've wished for welding equipment!

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89 Iroc-Z LB9 305 TPI auto 2.73 posi:
3" Dynomax "cat" back,K&N filters, TB bypass, 3" pipe in place of cat, cleaned and flow-matched injectors, 170' thermo, mild ignition mods, synthetic oil, kicker sound system, soon to have 3.73 posi...

 

You could try to braze it with Map gas, I dunno how well that would work tho
Go get a Brazing rod from your hardware store ( they are like .99 ) and some flux. Soak the Bolt head in the Flux and Stick the Hex Botl to it, Heat the **** out of them and see if you can get the rod to braze in, It might work, If they are both steel it should.

Intake is ally, So you Dont have to worry about welding the bolt to it ( hehe ) So You might as well try

I dunno if this will be strong enough for the sorta torque You may need to remove the bolt, however

Worth a Shot tho

Know anyone with a Mig welder?

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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Z28 LG4 - Daily Driver
**Mods**
MSD Superconductors
14" Open Element
KYB all around

 

Have you tried using an easy-out? Since there is already a hole in the torx head where I'm assuming you stripped it, you can drill into the bolt with a bit slightly smaller than the bolt size. Then you can pound or screw in the easy-out (depending on the type of easy-out)and remove the bolt. This should work. Just don't break the easy-out off or you'll never get it out. I've done it before and it usually works. Don't believe the "easy" part of easy-out though.

 

That's funny as hell. Torx screws were originally intended to be tamper proof. I hope the irony doesn't get to you. I do think the impact driver idea is your bet.

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi, manly b&m megashifter

 

Torx Do Suck, I hate em.

 

Actually, Torx were a proprietary design of Camcar/Textron. They were designed to be a high-reliability fastener that would be very friendly to automated assembly equipment. The "tamper-resistant" Torx have a small raised pin in the head recess that is supposed to reject a "regular" Torx driver.

Proper alignment of a good driver is the key to success with this drive design. Holding the driver a few degrees off perpendicular will cause it to cam out of the recess and fudge the bolt forever.

(18+ years in the fastener industry had to provide SOME benefits, since it certainly doesn't pay much.)

I would try pregressively larger drills until the head comes off if you have a good angle. If not, plenty of penetrating oil and a sharp chisel might get the head to start turning. The bolts were only supposed to be torqed to 18 lb/ft, but we know the factory didn't use anti-seize. I'll bet you'll use it now...
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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

[This message has been edited by Vader (edited December 12, 2000).]

 

Iroc,
i feel your pain im trying to get the last three torx bolts off off a tpi intake manifold. round three tonight!! i think im going to try cutting a groove in the bolt head and if that doesnt work, start grinding the bolt heads off with a carbide bit. i never had much luck w/ easy out or impact driver. good luck
Matt

 

Hey I sell ZEP chemicals and we have anti seize paste and aerosol versions the only thing though is minimum orders are $35 but I also sell the best hand cleaners around. Email me if you want to talk about anything.

[This message has been edited by Blue92 (edited December 13, 2000).]

 

FYI, NAPA has (or at least had) two types of anti-seize compound. The silver paste like you said you had, and a copper compound. Perhaps you'd like the the copper residue better. I believe they both work equally well, and are similarly priced.

An anti-seize compound that does not leave a slivery residue? I wonder if that's like asking for a grease that doesn't leave a dark colored slipery residue afterward.

 

Well I think I should've bought cutting bits instead of grinding bits for the dremel. I'll try those next...the biggest problem is that one of the bolts is between the runners at the right rear of the manifold. So I can only really get in there with the dremel extension. Otherwise I'd use a fiberglass reinforced cut-off wheel. Oh well, I got the silver paste just this time not the tube it's a jar with an applicator. Oh and my new shiny set of hex head tpi bolts came today!! Yippee!

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89 Iroc-Z LB9 305 TPI auto 2.73 posi:
3" Dynomax "cat" back,K&N filters, TB bypass, 3" pipe in place of cat, cleaned and flow-matched injectors, 170' thermo, mild ignition mods, synthetic oil, kicker sound system, soon to have 3.73 posi...

 

after using a lot of antisieze in the SCCA TransAm series, I found that after several uses of the big jar of antisieze, you never have to open it. There's always a little bit on the outside of the cap. just wipe the treads on that. I'm pretty sure that antisieze has a positive charge to it, because it want's to stick to EVERYTHING remotely near it, and of course it comes off in about 3 years!

I know you can't use it for your trouble now, but i used a friends bolt extractor one time. It was snap-on brand, but he tool said rigid on it. the best i've used yet! haven't found one at home depot yet, but if you see one, get it, it'll save your life one day!
later
clem

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The world is full of stupid people...and I am no exception.

'83 Z28 5 speed (regrettably with T-tops)
'83 Z28 No T-tops (regrettably automatic)

[This message has been edited by amagin86 (edited December 15, 2000).]

 

Thanks for the tip. This auto place near me tried to sell me these 5 sockets that looked like they fit over the head (they had a swirl pattern like cutters on the inside and a wierd star shaped patter for the ratchet whatever kind you're supposed to use...anyway - price tag=$60 for the 5. Hello! I was like NO WAY I'm paying that b/c it probably won't work and even if it did 60 dollars?? Well, I bought a couple tungsten carbide high speed cutters tonight and if they don't work I can buy a diamond cutter...message to torx: "You wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts!!"

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89 Iroc-Z LB9 305 TPI auto 2.73 posi:
3" Dynomax "cat" back,K&N filters, TB bypass, 3" pipe in place of cat, cleaned and flow-matched injectors, 170' thermo, mild ignition mods, synthetic oil, kicker sound system, soon to have 3.73 posi...