Grill and dogleg screw removal

[Dale Finch]

I needed to remove the tank/hood on the "new" '51, as I plow through my punch list of maintenance items. Several of the screw heads were messed up, but at least only one dogleg screw was already broken off. Since I am not a welder, the techniques of heating or welding a nut onto the screws were not an option. I do have a small angle grinder, though, and decided to cut a new screwdriver slot that would tightly fit my big screwdriver. After having sprayed it for several days with PB Blaster, and with a shiny new sharp-edged screwdriver slot, I patiently worked the screws back and forth until they finally came out.

One screw I had to do a 2nd new slot, but it worked!

On 2 of the larger grill screws, the welded nut had already broken loose, but I cut a nice new slot in the screw head, cut off the end of the screw, clamped some vice grips on the nut, put the vice grips in my bench vice, and proceeded to wiggle the screws out.

So now the remaining tasks are to spot weld those 2 grill nuts back on, plus 2 nuts back at the panel that are also missing. Good thing I know someone who does weld!

[Jose Wales]

To follow the same thread, bolt/screw removal, my battery box was completely rusted and the bottom bolts too rusted to put a wrench on. Yesterday i tried easy outs, some grip sockets etc. Finally I used a side cutter to cut off the bolts and then was able to remove the box bottom. Soaked with PB and then used vice grips to remove the bolts. There was enough of the bolts left to get the vice grips on and they came out easy. Got lucky I guess.

[Dale Finch]

Persistence and patience often beats brute strength! Glad you were successful. I'm not sure which are worse, but these two (doglegs and battery box bolts) have to be about the most exasperating hardware on the cub...oh wait! Add the radiator drain plug!!! And that is my challenge for tomorrow!

[Stanton]

Persistence pays off. The heat generated from the angle grinder cutting new screw driver slots probably helped a bunch.

Think I’ve used all those tricks; some work.

Years ago, my FIL gave me a Texas Screwdriver as a gag gift. Probably found it in a cheesy souvenir shop. Standard head driver with wood handle about 42” long. It’s been used to back out many a stubborn screw.

[Dale Finch]

I had thought about the heat while cutting, and you're probably right, cuz they were smokin'! And I did do one last spray with PB Blaster WHILE they were hot.

[radioguy41]

I've had a lot of success with an impact screwdriver. Here's one example. Many more on Amazon.

https://smile.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Impact-Driver-8-Inch-CMMT14104/dp/B07R96M9VW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3JZZ702AK7EG3&dchild=1&keywords=impact+screwdriver&qid=1599644352&sprefix=impact%2Caps%2C249&sr=8-2

[inairam]

Chase the threads before you put it together and use an anti-seize or some other high temp quality lube before you thread it.

That is one screw I wish the IH engineers thought a little more about and the accountants spent a little more money on.

[Clemsonfor]

I've had a lot of success with an impact screwdriver. Here's one example. Many more on Amazon.

https://smile.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Impact-Driver-8-Inch-CMMT14104/dp/B07R96M9VW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3JZZ702AK7EG3&dchild=1&keywords=impact+screwdriver&qid=1599644352&sprefix=impact%2Caps%2C249&sr=8-2

these are very useful. I have to almost always use one to get the gear case plugs out of my outboards. I always borrow a buddies. But I need to get one. There very useful for stuck screws, and I would use one more often if I actually owned one. But it's one of those things I use about once a year or every other year so I put off the purchase no matter how cheap.

[Bill Hudson]

When it comes to tools, I have often found that Henry Ford was right, "If you need a tool and don't buy it, you will ultimately find that you have paid for it and don't have it."

Bill

[Gary Dotson]

I've had one of those impact drivers for many years. I don't use it very often, either, but when I need it, it's right there, in the tool box waiting for me.

[Bill Hudson]

Eastwood Screw Buster is a modern version of the impact driver for $16.97. If you want to spend more, check out Shake-N-Brake, I'm sure there are others out there.

Bill

[Dale Finch]

Bill, I really like that! I think it would work really well on some of the sheet metal hardware, where you don't want to bend anything. I watched this video...impressive...only thing is I think he had already loosened the bolts, unless he has a silent impact driver!

https://youtu.be/SMN_4-1nci4