1992 Honda Prelude Stripped head Bolt

HOMOARANEA

MEMBER
1992 HONDA PRELUDE
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
210,000 MILES

I have a ’92 Honda Prelude S. I’m trying to save some money by changing the head myself. Unfortunately, I pulled a rookie move and stripped the head on the front bolt on the driver’s side. All of the other bolts required a 18 inch breaker bar coupled with a 12 inch pipe in order to get enough torque to break them lose, and even with all that it took a lot of strength. So, I don’t know if I can get the bolt out with an easy-out if I were to drill the head off the bolt as has been suggested.
Can you give me any ray of hope for saving my engine, and the extra $2000 for a “new-ish" motor?
Thank-you,
Sean

4 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

An easy out is the best way to go here.

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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 9:43 PM

HOMOARANEA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

OK, but what i'm worried about is whether the easy-out can handle all of the torque. I'm talking 110-150 ft lbs to remove the other head bolts.
Am I correct in assuming that if I remove the bolt head that the torque required to remove the remainder of the bolt should be significantly less?

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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 9:55 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Is there enough bolt showing to apply a pair of vice grips? You may be able to break it lose with a very hefty pair of grips and leverage tool. Otherwise, the easy out will have to be used. As long as you use the correct easy out then it will be able to get the job done. This is a common situation to get in for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers. When using the easy out, first you need to carefully drill out what is on the bolt hole (head and whatever is left of bolt sticking out) then remove what is left of bolt with the easy out. If the threads are stripped in head after removal you can buy coil and rethread it.

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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 10:16 PM

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