Drilling out exhaust studs - quick help

SpeedracerIndy · 01-03-2009, 11:22 AM

I'm in the process of drilling out my exhaust studs using A Quiet Boom's tool.

Thanks to Christian for making this tool! It is really well made and precise. I couldn't imagine doing this without the tool.

The drilling is going very well, and surprisingly quickly. I'm using plenty of oil and not letting it get too hot. My question is, how do i know how far into the head to drill? I don't want to start drilling into the head and ruin the head

. Will the drill break through the stud and when I get to the end of it? Can anyone help me out here?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

The metal shaving will change consistency if you transition from the stud to the head. That is IF the stud was bottomed out. If there's a gap between the stud and the bottom of the hole, you feel a change.....

You can also double nut and pull one stud and see how deep they go......get an idea have far your can go w/o a worry.

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Check the thread-length on the new stud, then wrap some colored electical tape on the drill using that measurement so you can see how deep you're drilling.
If the studs are bottomed out in the hole, the drill will not break through but you'll see Alu chips coming out.

SP2 · 01-03-2009, 12:06 PM

I just used a toothpick as a depth gauge in one of the other holes, then checked frequently during drilling. Hopefully you have at least one hole where the stud did not snap off.

911nut · 911nut's Garage

When you go from the steel stud to the aluminum head, the softer material will grab the drill and try to wrench it out of your hand.

SpeedracerIndy · 01-03-2009, 01:42 PM

Thanks guys. The studs aren't bottomed out. I got through the first one and it broke free at the end of the stud. Looks like the studs are about 3/4" into the heads, does that sound about right?

Two down, 10 to go!

SpeedracerIndy · 01-03-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911nut

When you go from the steel stud to the aluminum head, the softer material will grab the drill and try to wrench it out of your hand.

That is exactly what happened. When I reached the end of the stud, the drill broke through and then grabbed the aluminum and ripped out of my hand.

Thanks for the help.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Mark the depth on your drill bit........

kodioneill · kodioneill's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedracerIndy

I'm in the process of drilling out my exhaust studs using A Quiet Boom's tool.

Thanks to Christian for making this tool! It is really well made and precise. I couldn't imagine doing this without the tool.

The drilling is going very well, and surprisingly quickly. I'm using plenty of oil and not letting it get too hot. My question is, how do i know how far into the head to drill? I don't want to start drilling into the head and ruin the head

. Will the drill break through the stud and when I get to the end of it? Can anyone help me out here?

what's a quiet boom's tool? pic please

SpeedracerIndy · 01-03-2009, 02:30 PM

It's a tool made by "A Quiet Boom" for drilling out broken exhaust studs. Here it is installed ready for it's next victim:

And here are the results:

kodioneill · kodioneill's Garage

where can i get that?

Zeke · 01-03-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodioneill

what's a quiet boom's tool? pic please

Here is a link to one page of a VERY long thread on the subject.

kodioneill · kodioneill's Garage

thank you milt

equality72521 · 01-03-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodioneill

thank you milt

It is worth every penny and more for this tool. I used it and drilled out 12 studs, chased the threads, and inserted new studs in about 4 hours. I couldn't believe how good this tool is.

kodioneill · kodioneill's Garage

waiting for reply from the quiet boom.

SpeedracerIndy · 01-05-2009, 04:28 PM

I am reviving this thread to ask another question if anyone is still listening.

The first 4 studs drilled out very easy. Much easier than I thought. Would you recommend drilling out the other 8, or should I just leave them? The remaining studs look to be in ok condition. Very rusty, but the threads are in tact. I ran a tap over a few of them and they cleaned up pretty well.

I am planning on putting the old heat exchangers back on with new bolts, but they are in rough shape so I will be replacing them soon. Probably within two years. Is it worth it to drill out all of the remaining studs so it's easier to replace the exchangers in a few years, or will the new bolts be easy to replace in a few years. Does anyone have experience with this?

Superman · 01-05-2009, 04:34 PM

I would tend to leave them alone, if they are serviceable for now. Especially if the Quiet Boom tool is yours to keep. You can always drill them out in two years, if you change heat exchangers at that time, and if they break. In the meantime, hit them with a wire brush, put antizeize goop on them and use the fancy brass/copper nuts.

Nine9six · Nine9six's Garage

I dunno...I'm a very strong believer of, "while you're in there..." and, "why do the same job twice?"
Not only that, if you have full studs to grab onto, some PB blaster, and some heat; maybe you wont be drilling anything...

SP2 · 01-05-2009, 04:50 PM

Leave them. Use the anti seize that has copper in it. Good luck!

equality72521 · 01-05-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine9six

I dunno...I'm a very strong believer of, "while you're in there..." and, "why do the same job twice?"
Not only that, if you have full studs to grab onto, some PB blaster, and some heat; maybe you wont be drilling anything...

+1 I didn't need to remove 4 of mine but they were pretty rusty, the engine was out making it very easy to do, and now I don't have to worry about when the old ones will fail. I replaced them all with stainless and I haven't had a single worry since.