Still can't get the lifter out.

[scamper]

Still trying to get that lifter out of a 454 Mercruiser. Down to the last option, removing the exhaust manifold so I can get the valve cover off. All bolts came off save one. Started with a 9/16 socket, gave it a pull, heard the rust hitting the bilge. Tried 14MM, same results. Can feel the bolt with two fingers, not much more room. Think I can get a cold chisel to cut straight into the bolt from the top and turn it ¼ way and X it. Try to keep doing this until the bolt fails. Does this sound feasible? <br />Very frustrated right bout now.<br />-----------------------------------------<br />There are old sailors and bold sailors,<br />But there are no old bold sailors.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Hi, if a read you correctly about how you're hitting the bolt with the chisel I confess that the last time I tried that trick the manifold cracked after which I simply destroyed the manifold with a hammer and removed the bolt with a vise-grip, a bit expensive but it came off. If you can hit the bolt straight on it's axis it might loosen and be removable, but from the side or at an angle you may be in trouble.

 

[scamper]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

SS, I was thinking more on the line of removing the head by cutting it on it’s axis and just sliding the manifold off. At this point I’m about 2 shakes from taking the hammer to the manifold and be done with it myself. I’m ready to pull the plug on this thing but I don’t know where it is.<br />---------------------------------------------<br />There are old sailors and bold sailors,<br />But there are no old bold sailors,

 

[loadnet]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

I once had a bolt that was junk like the one you are messing with there..<br /><br />I ground down the very TOP surface of the bolt, then placed an oversized grade 8 nut smack on top then WELDED the new nut to the old bolt's top surface using my mig.<br /><br />Once it cooled down a bit, I removed it with the appropriatly sized socket.<br /><br />hope this helps you out some..<br /><br />PB customerservice@401hosting.com

 

[scamper]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Thanks Captain HooknFinger but its so crowded down there, another 454 setting next door, I can’t even see the thing. I can feel it with a couple of fingers. I can get my arm in between the two engines exhaust and with a little something I haven’t had up to this point (luck) put a chisel on the head of the bolt and maybe split the head off and pull the manifold over what’s left of the bolt. If all else fails, I’ll take that puppy out one square inch at a time. I'm just to that point, ya know?<br />---------------------------------------------<br />There are old sailors and bold sailors,<br />but there are no old bold sailors.

 

[elpaso]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Welding a nut on will work- will give you a grip<br />plus the heat will losen bolt.<br />Also high heat on bolt head - let cool heat again,<br />let cool - do this 4-5 times bolt will come out.<br /><br />Use a large mirror, to see bolt -cover carb. -<br />fuel lines -fuel filter - ect. with soaking wet cloth towels. Hose water every where before starting. Put two bolts back in manifold, to <br />relive pressure, on bad bolt.<br /><br />Blow bilge out with a fan before starting.<br />Have an extra man - with a big fire extingister,<br />standing by - <br /><br />I have never seen a 454 - that the 1/4 drive<br />trick did not work to remove valve cover ?<br /><br />10 minutes of thinking, can save hours and dollars.

 

[loadnet]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

I'm not questioning your ability to do the job or anything but sometimes just dropping the boat off at a Marine Shop works too.<br /><br />It may cost you a few bucks to have them remove the bolt, but it's better than having to buy additional parts that may be broken along the way by attempting to do it yourself.<br /><br />The Marine Shop HAS NO CHOICE but to remove the bolt as per your orders.<br /><br />They know a variety of tricks to get that baby out of there, as they've been down that road a million times before.

 

[scamper]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Elpaso, I tried both the universal and flex extension. The manifold is so close to the valve cover that the socket will not go through. This valve cover slants toward the manifold so when I’m looking down at it the top the cover is about 3/8 of an inch off the manifold at the top and about 5/8 to ¾ “ off the manifold at the bottom. I slid the socket on it’s side along the bottom of the cover, used a screw driver to get it up right over the bolt. Forced the flex extension down on the socket but because of the pressure the flex was under the socket would not couple to the bolt. <br /><br />Captain HooknFinger, but its 34’ long and 12’ wide. I did call a local mechanic to see if he could get the two bolts out. He said he could, figured it would take about 2 hrs. including drive time. I figure 2 hrs. @ $65 (his charge) = a new manifold. The chisel thing didn’t work. My last option I’m going to break the manifold out of there, and put a new manifold in and try to remember what it was I was going to do before this other thing happened. I am now however open to suggestions on the art of breaking the old manifold out. All bolts are loose except the last two and I can only use force from the top not sides or bottom. I’m usually pretty fair about breaking things but with my luck on this project I’ll welcome any advice

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Is ther anyway to get a Dremel tool in there. Those things have saved my butt numerous times. Just cut the bolt off with a cutoff wheel. Use a dremel tool with the flex shaft if you have that small amount of room.<br /><br />Ken

 

[scamper]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

By golly Ken that might work. If I can get a socket on it, I should be able to get a Dremel tool down there. With Elpaso’s idea of a large mirror it could work However, in the event this doesn’t work and no other solution forthcoming I’d still like some demo advice. By the way Ken, got the bus parked at Bayland marina in Baytown,

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

hello<br /> after remoning more than my share of saltwater rusted bolts your down to a few options. 1 is remove the other engine to allow access to the bolt head and weld a nut to it. 2 is use an air chisel to break apart the old manifold. ( this option sucks and is tough).<br /> or 3 cover everything with wet welders cloth and vent everything have a 2nd and 3rd man standing by and burn the heads off with oxy/acetylene. the latter I have done here many times. the last time was just as quick and harrowing as the first .<br />takes 30 seconds to burn off the heads. takes a day to get the nerve and prep the engine box. Good luck and keep posting

 

[scamper]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

WOW!!!!

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Pretty cool, I am about 5 minutes away from Bayland Marina. Small world.<br /><br />I have found that dremel tool to be very handy. I used it to cut some super tough stuff, so it is definately up to it. Those cutoff wheels dont last long, but long enough to cut a bolt.<br /><br />Also, they make a special tool to pull the lifter out, if you cant grab a hold of it with a screwdriver. I used to have one somewhere around here in my mess of junk!<br /><br />Ken

 

[Bondo]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

"oxy/acetylene."<br /> I Never leave home without my Blue-Tip Wrenches..... <br /><br />I Think the Dremel Idea is a Winner..... But, I'd go with a Roto-Zip(ele), or a Die-Grinder(air).... Either of these will have Alot more Power... And 1/4" tool bits will hold up better... A Carbide Burr will chew the head off a bolt in only Minutes.... There'll Still be Alot of Sparks, So you'll want the Engine Bay Fireproofed as much as Possible.....<br /><br /> rodbolt Is Right on this 1......<br />I'd use Option #1 before I tried Option #2.... Busting out a Manifold is Ridicules.....<br />Option #3 is My Choice..... Blow the Heads Off, Slide the manifold out alittle,+ Saw-Zall the bolts off as far Out as possible, Lift out the Iron....<br />Less than an Hours Work.....<br /><br />Some times it's just a heck of alot Easier to just Pull the engine....<br />Been there, Done that....

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Hello<br /> gotta agree with bondo. comes a time when its motor lifing time. I do this as a profession and it comes to a point where for the customers wallet I have to call an end to monkying with it. that is why I am profiecent with smoke. <br /> Good luck and start cutting

 

[sailorkula]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

well, ive been doing this for awhile and the easiest, simplest, and most professional way is to lift the engine... even if you lift the one you are working on just high enough to work on the bolt, remember to block the engine... safety first... i use 1/4" sockets on valve covers and slide them in from the stern.. this works well on a full moon and only if the boat is facing north(ha, ha)

 

[merc 140 pontoon]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

I have a 90 deg head for my Dremel. I have used it to drill and grind numerous things that I couldn't get to otherwise. You could probably grind the head off the bolt. You may wear out one or two of the right-angle heads, but it was pretty cheap at Home Creepo as I recall. If you can get a center spot on the head, it may work better to use short drill bits to drill it off.

 

[scamper]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

Want to thank all, SlowlySinking, Captain HooknFinger, elpaso. Kenimpzoom, rodbolt, bondo, thedoctorisin, merc 140 pontoon, and any one else I have missed on this post. Would like ya to know I did call a mechanic to remove the lifter to begin with, matter of fact called two. Still waiting for one to show up. Seemed like not that hard a problem to start. As you know things happen. I now have a lot more options than I did thanks to all that posted. I am going the Dremel route with mirror Saturday. I feel I have gone too far to try to move the boat 20 some odd miles on the water for help. If the dremel route doesn’t work, I guess the next step will have to be the engine hoist. Thanks again all.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

BTW, I have yet to find a good mechanic in the Baytown area.<br /><br />I took it to one place in Clear Lake (first three letters of the place is Del____, told them to fix it, and they returned the boat and it ran, but ran badly. Took it back and they said it needs the carbs rebuilt. Hmmm, I thought I told them to fix it the first time. Then it sat there and they did nothing. I cam and picked it up and rebuilt the carbs myself.<br /><br />Ken

 

[loadnet]

Re: Still can't get the lifter out.

I did not read ALL responses to this issue of removing this bolt so if what I am writing below is repetitive please excuse me..<br /><br />If the manifold on the other engine is in your way to getting access to that bolt head, have you considered removing the 'other' manifold first to give yourself some more room to dremel, weld, torch, or dynamite?<br /><br />Maybe the bolts on the other manifold are in good shape and could save you a ton of new swear word creation.