Inexperienced Rookie Error

okay so in reinstalling this timing chain cover (68 oddfire) I notice that I have more holes than bolts from when I took it off. I see there are a couple of locating studs for some of the holes, but two bolts clearly broke off. No big deal, I will just go buy a cheap tap and die set from HF and drill them out and rethread. They are actually the water pump to the timing chain cover bolts. well the first one drills out great, rethreads quick as I am basically just cleaning up exiting threads. ( I tried the easy outs but it didn't work). On the second hole captain nimrod (me) snaps off a small titanium bit in the hole, just as its poking out the other side. It doesn't seem to want to get driven back out and I can't seem to drill by it as it wrecks every bit that comes in contact with it. Maggotts under the tongue ( a joke in reference to one of my earlier posts) would be much easier. At this point I shall throw myself at the mercy of the forum and hope for a trick. Thanks, Don

 

Carbide bit, grind it out.

BTDT.

 

Skip one hole and hope for no leak?

 

If the bit broke just as it broke through, I would try to tap it loose and back it out. Can you get a small pin punch to push it back out?
Those titanium bits can be really hard, but sometimes a quick spot of high heat (oxy/acetylene torch) can super heat such a small part to cherry-red, taking the temper out of it, and maybe getting the whole broken bolt loose at the same time.
Did the drill break off short enough to get an e-z -out in behind it?
-Donny

 

If unable to find titanium bits try a small concrete drill bit. Old guy trick from way back, and they're cheaper

 

Maybe not the answer you want, but new timing covers are available: Timing Chain Covers, Small Block V8 & V6 Timing Cover, TA_1530 | TAPerformance.com

You could also take the cover to your local automotive machine shop, and likely they can clear the hole for you. These shops have a lot of experience with removing broken bolts.

 

A tip for the future too, try using left hand drill bits. A lot of the time while using one it will take the snapped bolt out. Also, use a transfer punch to make your centering hole to start so that it is perfectly centered, then after drilling using a left hand bit if the bolt did not come out try an easy out. Heat can help too because the expanding and contracting can break free rust that is holding on the threads.

 

Heat up the outside around the bolt with a heat gun and spry some penetrating oil on it too.

 

Is there any stub sticking out , if there is before you eat it all away trying to grab it with a pair of vice grips take a nut and put it over the stud and tack weld it right through the center it will heat the threads enough usually that it will back right out. Lefty drill bits work a lot of the time too, otherwise there is always heli Coils

 

A lot of misinformation in some of these posts, those are Titanium nitrided or titanium coated drills, not solid titanium. That would make a horrible drill since titanium can be cut with standard high speed steel. Tungsten carbide is what is known simply as Carbide there is no difference other than standard grades for Carbide types, C2,C5,C6 and so on.
If all else fails you can send it to me, I have machined dozens out over the years. Left handed drills work well so does Royal Purple Maxfilm penetrating oil is probably the best
made, we use it at work extensively.

 

okay, the broken bit is out, broken bolt is out, threads are cleaned up and its ready to go back in...will any parts fall out of that oil pump when I open it up to fill it with vaseline? Will it need any new gaskets or o-rings or anything like that?

 

Two gears should drop out when you take the end plate off. One has a shaft that engages with the distributor drive, and the other gear just idles on a stub shaft in the housing. You need to look for wear on the end plate where the face of the gears ride, and look for any wear grooves in the gear cavity. If all looks good, you need to determine the gasket thickness to get the correct clearances. The shop manual will give details. You want the pump set up with minimal endfloat for maximum efficiency and pressure.
-Donny

 

X2 just did this and it worked easily. Best seven bucks I've spent.

 

Sweet tips thanks!