University Motors Limited, Ada, Michigan

University Motors Limited

Goldstar Products

Technical Assistance

6490 East Fulton
Ada, Michigan 49301
616.682.0800

Broken Head Stud

I screwed up!

I was preparing to adjust my valves by loosening and then
retorquing the head nuts to 50lbs as you tought in class. Using my
cheapo Harbor Freight torque wrench I snapped the stud almost flush -
there is about 1/8 inch of the stud still visible.

I could try to enlist a friend to bring welding gear to my
garage and try to weld the nut back onto the stud.

Would another option be to just remove the head assuming the
head itself isnt threaded? If I removed the head I should be able to
remove the stud just using some pliers. Is removing the head as simple
as just removing all the nuts and pulling it off or am I going to be
creating other complications? Would I need to replace the head gasket?
Any other parts?

If some of the stud is visible, then welding to it is certainly acceptable. Another option is to drill it (start with a 1/8" bit) and then eventually thread it with a tap, then fit a bolt and jam nut and unscrew it. Another option is to drill it with a pilot, then use a reverse drill which will eventually grab it and unscrew it.

If you do remove the head, it's not so bad of a job (and you can clean the combustion chambers). You WILL need a new head gasket at least.

Let me know how you repaired this!

Some of the new studs are not very strong at all -- and some of the inferior wrenches are terribly inaccurate.

© 2005-2010, University Motors, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.