1951 Pontiac Chieftain

[Junkman]

I did wonder if it'd be easier to just cut them off flush, centre punch and drill and tap them than muck about with penetrating fluid etc.

They can be surprisingly tough, having gone through thousands of cool/hot/cool cycles resembling a hardening process, so they often just grin at drill bits. The usual guess how I found out applies.

[Scruffy Bodger]

I did wonder if it'd be easier to just cut them off flush, centre punch and drill and tap them than muck about with penetrating fluid etc.

They can be surprisingly tough, having gone through thousands of cool/hot/cool cycles resembling a hardening process, so they often just grin at drill bits. The usual guess how I found out applies.

Not always easy no but a decent bit with a more aggressive grind if need be, at the right speed and a drill press of some sort gives you a fighting chance. A great trick I learnt from a toolmaker for really hard steel is a sharpened masonry bit. That is pretty much a last resort though.

[PhilA]

I would love a drill press but right now I can't afford one, so I'm having to exercise Steady Hand and handheld power drill.

The exhaust manifold side went off track because there's a big chunk of manifold in the way.

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Last night's progress.

Phil

[PhilA]

OK, that's a job even I'd have left to an engineering co. They often do this for beer money.

Honestly there are none I would entrust this to around here.

You saw the kind of result I got from "the best" radiator place- $800 to maybe fix it

Engineering is hailed as something that is good and needs doing but only when it comes to oilfield work or tractors around here

Cars can gtfo as far as most engineering shops are concerned because the punters that bring them in usually can gtfo and that's the root cause. They don't like customers because 90% of them are all timewasters/complainers/facebook artists

[PhilA]

I think I may see about putting a helicoil in that hole.

We'll see how well it works and if the tap breaks off in it first.

--Phil

[PhilA]

I chose Bloody Stupid Thread Pitch(tm)

Bolt it is

Phil

[PhilA]

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I got tired of drilling holes so popped the alternator open. The diode trio (orange piece) is bad, so that's hopefully going to be why it's not charging properly.

Phil

[Junkman]

OK, that's a job even I'd have left to an engineering co. They often do this for beer money.

Honestly there are none I would entrust this to around here.

You saw the kind of result I got from "the best" radiator place- $800 to maybe fix it

Engineering is hailed as something that is good and needs doing but only when it comes to oilfield work or tractors around here

Cars can gtfo as far as most engineering shops are concerned because the punters that bring them in usually can gtfo and that's the root cause. They don't like customers because 90% of them are all timewasters/complainers/facebook artists

I'd have thought there is a shitload of those racing car types down there. And big bloody motorboat engine molesters.

[PhilA]

The former live closer to the races

The latter have fewer tools than I do

[PhilA]

After a little hiatus, manifolds now bolt together again.

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Needs a little finessing still, and new gaskets but that should do.

Phil