Successfully unbolted flapper boxes

[ManniB]

Guys,

after reading all the stories about stripped flapper bolt studs I was very hesitant to unbolt mine. The condition of my heating was quite bad, the flapper boxes had developed surface rust, the heater hoses were toast and the actuating cable ends were also done.

I had read about what was called weasel piss, a mixture of 50:50 acetone and automatic transmission fluid to soak the studs and nuts, so I gave it a try.
I started by first tightening the nuts a bit more, then backing them up ever so slightly. After a lot of wiggling back and force, I was able to turn the nuts by some degrees. It took approx. 30 Minutes of wiggling for each nut to unbolt it, but I finally managed to unbolt all six nuts without breaking the studs.

I then sandblasted the flapper boxes, ordered new hoses and other parts. And yesterday, I was able to assemble everything.

I don't know if I was just lucky that I didn't break the studs, but maybe patience is the key here.

- Manfred

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by ManniB

Guys,
It took approx. 30 Minutes of wiggling for each nut to unbolt it, but I finally managed to unbolt all six nuts without breaking the studs.

2 hours of your life you won't get back!
I hope you rewarded yourself with something taste than the weasel brew
I really feel for you northerners , what with corrosion interfering with your enjoyment of life.

[ManniB]

Originally Posted by tazzieman

2 hours of your life you won't get back!
I hope you rewarded yourself with something taste than the weasel brew
I really feel for you northerners , what with corrosion interfering with your enjoyment of life.

Tazzieman,

actually I felt like I had gained some time. Replacing any broken studs would have taken even longer. I'm pretty happy with the car (1980 SC from the US), its nearly rust free. My other car, a '71 Mustang, has lived in the German climate for all of it's life. When I restored it I was busy with welding for one year.

- Manfred

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by ManniB

When I restored it I was busy with welding for one year.

My semi-restored Landrover has a rather terminal rear crossmember after sitting in an outside bush barn for 15 years. Me have work to do , this part gets to pull stuff!

To return to your solution , literally , what label would you give this in German ?

[ManniB]

- Manfred

[BlueWing]

Good for you, time well spent. Was your engine in or out? I just did mine while the engine is out and sweated the whole time. As the studs are factory welded I did not want to disturb and weld back a permanent tub attachment, just the way I approach things. First tried Kroil for days but when I tried to loosen I had a bad feeling they were still going to break. Next I used a dremmel tool with a flex shaft and sliced down the side of the nut (not a slit but went flat with the disc flat down the nut) just barely exposing the threads, this removed the tension of these rust welded nuts and than removed with a socket.

I figure spend the time now going slow with patients or spend the time late cleaning and welding. All came off and those minor little studs are still original.

I never had heat since I owned the car and had a spare set of flappers I bead blasted a sprayed. Here is a pic of them just before reassembly.

Terry

[wildcat077]

Nice job,they look better than new ... and more colorful

Cheers !
Phil