Removing bolts with a Welder! Exhaust Manifold Bolts! Chevy Tahoe Ls 5.3 6.0

[@JohnSmith-ug5ci]

On those needle nose pilers that you are going to break more to get warranty. That is called being a thief and a liar. No warranty covers those kinds of things. Tell your supplier what you did and IF he/she wants to warranty it fine, but YOU need to be honest. Other than that, good job.

[@RainmanRaysRepairs]

John you went full dark side on that one buddy…snap on warranty is a little game we play. They charge us 3x the $$ for a tool, and we warranty them till the end of time. This is why we buy things like $65 pliers. There’s no thievery here

[@JohnSmith-ug5ci]

@@RainmanRaysRepairs no Snap-On is not playing your lying and thieving game. This is their stated warranty. In addition to any limitations outlined in warranty statements provided with the Product, Snap-on DOES NOT provide any warranty for (1) products labeled other than Snap-on or Blue-Point or (2) products subjected to "abnormal use". Products that are not labeled Snap-on or Blue-Point are subject to the warranty provided by the manufacturers of those products and Snap-on will pass along any such warranties. "Abnormal use" includes misuse, accident, modification, unreasonable use, abuse, neglect, lack of maintenance, use in product-related service, or use after the product is significantly worn. Abnormal use of tool storage units also includes, without limitation, situations when a unit is pulled using a mechanical vehicle, rolled over large drops, used in a highly corrosive environment, used as a step stool, modified with non-Snap-on parts, overloaded or modified in any way. So like I said if you do what you claim you was going to do you are a liar and thief regardless how much you paid for the item.

[@RainmanRaysRepairs]

@@JohnSmith-ug5ciWho cares what the verbiage says. I have a good enough business relationship with my vendor that when I destroy something he replaces it. And who says welding with pliers isn’t abnormal use? I do this every day, it seems pretty normal to me.

[@jessdonovan9772]

When your marketing and entire reputation relies on a forever warranty, even if you are right, snap on has to take the hit.

[@grantleyhughes]

@@JohnSmith-ug5ci I think this is the John Smith from the Mormon Church. So much preaching.

[@beaverc2884]

Ray's not a welder, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. 😂😁😄😆😅🙂

[@redactedlogic]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha

[@Jason.04]

🔥🔥

[@qfactor77]

I don't get it 🙈

[@michaeljones4364]

Bwahahahaha

[@travisboman7531]

@@qfactor77 Me neither. I'm thinking that it must be an inside joke.

[@kevinhill5596]

I was thinking to myself, there is going to be NO WAY Ray could pull this off. Excellent job sir. I appreciate your fearless persistent attitude. 👏👏👏👏

[@bobjones4470]

I think Rays motto should be, “endeavour to persevere”, as Chief Dan George would say in the Outlaw Josie Wales.

[@spacedinvader]

Maybe we should make him a little shadow box to frame that, as a award for tenacity! 🤣

[@williepelzer384]

I hope that exhaust valve isn't open!!!! All that weld splatter in the cylinder, not good

[@scottbaker9066]

@@williepelzer384 Don't worry so much, just get it done, it's an old truck, not a supercharged aircraft engine.

[@williepelzer384]

@@scottbaker9066 I can know for a fact there is welding splatter in that cylinder. Even if by chance that exhaust valve is closed, the spark plugs were out . IAM not bashing Ray, just making a observation I would have taped off the holes.

[@patplummer885]

As we used to say in the operating room: if everyone could do the hard ones, you'd be out of a job. Strong work, Ray.

[@TimDyb]

...or as we used to say, "If it was easy, everybody would be doing it!"

[@danhirtle7825]

Now THAT was an epic save. Admitted moderate welding skills + solid knowledge of metalurgy = success. Well done...

[@nickmay492]

When I was taught, at a very young age, a mechanic older than Ray and myself together at that point in time told me to use a copper tube to keep the weld off the head (they were cast iron back then) but it also kept the slag out of the threaded area. He also said to 'work' the bolt/nut off. That is, loosen then tighten then loosen once more. Back off twice, tighten once, repeat. I understood this to work the rust and not allow it to bind the threads. Before doing so though, he always pounded the stud/bolt to fracture the rust hold. This has always worked for me.

[@BryanByTheSea]

What do you mean by using a copper tube, scratching my head as how it's incorporated?

[@TheWickedFast1]

@@BryanByTheSea Weld won't stick to the copper, some body men use copper backing plate to weld body panels

[@tra-viskaiser8737]

Probably putting the nut down into a small copper tube.

[@nickmay492]

@@BryanByTheSea when he did it, on bolts that were surface flush or recessed, he chose a small copper tubing that barely fit into the treaded area (1/4" or 3/8"?) that he ran a drill into so as to thin out the walls, leaving more room for weld. Once the small section of copper was slid into the recess or placed around the broken stud, remaining below flush as best possible, he built up the stud with weld, the nut was then put in place and welded to it.

[@BryanByTheSea]

@@nickmay492 Aaah, that makes sense and a great tip, when there is a will there is a way

[@hugh007]

A law of the universe: the toughest one to remove is the one that will break. And a dropped socket will roll to the most inaccessible part of the car. Thanks for a great vid.

[@jameswalker629]

Socket Gravity

[@NemoConsequentae]

From a Murphy's Law poster I saw _many_ years ago: _Any tool dropped whilst working on a car will roll underneath, to the exact geometric center._

[@harrywalker5836]

i find, working on dirt,or concrete,,what you drop,,is the same damn color..&, behind a tire or central.. ive told my tools, time & time again,, you keep doing that,, you know i go fishing..

[@lorditsprobingtime6668]

@@NemoConsequentae That exact centre, or just the most impossible place to reach from above and below has always been my experience, along with exactly this sort of thing where a bolt shears off below the surface in the most inaccessible location possible. I am a good welder but that sort of welding job, I hate with a passion as that's the sort people keep bringing me because nobody else will even try. Ray almost reached sainthood here by pulling off one of his many miracles.

[@tomwarhol]

I really appreciate the welding hood/helmet! It's actually really nice to not have to stare at the white hot light even if it's on a display

[@tra-viskaiser8737]

Staring at the pretty blue lights is half the fun... lol

[@9mmmike642]

As a safety professional, I appreciate that Ray is protecting our eyes! No safety squints needed.

[@61rampy65]

I appreciated the deep diving helmet even more.

[@lorditsprobingtime6668]

I've spent too much time working as a welder and have to keep reminding myself it's only the screen backlight, not actual welding flash we're seeing when someone welds something we're watching, it's a hard habit to break.

[@throttlebottle5906]

he should use a real welding helmet with camera inside next time, it needs enclosed tightly so no light gets in anywhere else and an adjustable lens auto helmet is likely the best bet. get it right and you can look right into the arc and weld puddle, just like you're there. although he was shooting blind in tight quarters on the problem bolt.

[@oscarjones5773]

The VIRTUAL face shield Ray gave us!! What a gentleman!

[@HoLeeFuk317]

I mentioned it before but I'll say it again, take the wheel and inner fender out and do it through the wheel well. Easy enough and much more access.

[@randybeard6040]

Ray is a smart guy, hard to believe that he would not work through the wheel well...

[@jasonpaisley1535]

Did this job on my f-150 a couple months ago and in through the wheel well is the only way to even get at most of the studs

[@sumduma55]

If you look in the video, it appears the only thing going through the wheel well would have changed on the rear bolt was the angle of awkwardness getting to it. I do know he wasn't in a stall with a lift because he took the y pipe loose on the alignment rack then drove it to a regular stall in the previous video. I don't know what the shop's position is on working under a jack but it might have just seemed like more effort than reward at that point. Maybe if he could get it on a lift thst might be different.

[@DT-he9jt]

This is a great example for the young and upcoming tradesmen and women that everything doesn't always work the first time and that practice, perseverance, and failures are part of life and the trades. But the more you keep with it, the better you become and the more you learn.

[@HypocriticYT]

Definition of insanity is trying the same thing over again and expecting a different outcome! Thanks Ray we’ll have to change that definition now

[@mailmanjoe]

It got my anxiety up just watching this. It takes a special kind of patience to get through those stud removals.

[@johnsmith5726]

I'm inspired, I just came in for some lunch after fighting with the front brake dust covers on my wife's 2007 Mini One, I was going to drill them out, but now I think I will weld nuts on the bolt heads. At least that way, when the car catches fire and I let it burn, I can just say that I was copying Rainman Ray. 🙂

[@SubVet1984]

How did it turn Out?

[@MonkeyJedi99]

@@SubVet1984 Cracked me. Up?

[@shawnthompson345]

🤣🤣

[@eaglerider1826]

After watching this I'm amazed that one of those nuts didn't fall into the open exhaust pipe . I lost a 1/2 " socket that way . Somewhere there is a 1972 Plymouth Duster with my socket still in the exhaust ( If it is still running ) .

[@Dirtyharry70585]

Raddles like a baby toy at the stop light

[@jonathansim678]

Ha ha, for sure that would happen to me!

[@poppiarlin5612]

🤣that’s my type of luck

[@eaglerider1826]

@@Dirtyharry70585 Believe it or not , it never made a sound . It must have rocked it's way into the muffler .

[@paulabes4220]

I still have a 15 mm impact socket lost in my grand cherokee frame been there for years.

[@boelensds]

tip: put a piece off copper pipe in the hole and weld in that. will not stick, will not screwup treads.

[@iamnoone.]

I going to say the same thing. I've done that way for years works every time ⏲️ 🙂

[@lorditsprobingtime6668]

I get your idea but, he was welding a couple of millimeters below flush on Aluminium, it was never going to stick and he could have damaged a bit of the very top thread only whilst needing as much clear access as possible and working in an almost impossible location, he wasn't doing any serious harm and it gave him a little more room. That is a good tip if the surround was steel or even cast iron but not needed here.

[@ThornesGuns]

these days everyone says they have "their truth" and it may be different from "your truth" so just make "gravity" not part of "your truth" then you won't have gravity bothering you anymore. my logic is impeccable. I gave up gravity as part of my 'truth' long ago and floating around is a lot of fun.

[@LeewardStudios]

With the recessed bolts it sometimes helps to burn in a washer or two at the surface of the head. Helps protect it from the weld and gives the bust more surface area to bond to.

[@jerryhatrick5860]

Truth ,I just always do it ,lol

[@SocketSilver]

Seen Eric O. do such.

[@daviddobson4006]

I was waiting for someone to bring up the washer before the nut! I’m not a welder but I’ve seen the results of how much better it works in other videos. I hope Ray reads these comments. Always great videos Ray, I love the humor! Dee dee do.

[@CMDR_CLASSIFIED]

Was going to suggest the same thing. o7

[@SETTAPERFORMANCE]

If I’m trying to do this for a bolt that’s on a steel frame I’m pretty much have to use the washer right ?

[@joeslouie489]

7:54 i like that sign that's in the back there that says "to avoid injury, don't tell me how to do my job"

[@groovedodger]

Well done that round of applause you put in was well deserved.

[@charlessavage8387]

Love the studio audience response, I was cheering for you

[@frankvucolo6249]

You need a second “perspective” camera on some of this stuff so that people can appreciate the amount of engine compartment yoga, reach and dexterity needed to pull this off. Really good job! My money was on head removal. Glad I was wrong.

[@Dirtyharry70585]

Fish eye lens

[@asthenewt]

yeah, maybe Peter can be camerman for a moment or two. Ray: "oh Peter, can I have your assistance for a moment?"

[@avasonsyn]

I witnessed some crying moments on here today but didn't see any tears. I'm talking about tears of joy. Great Work!

[@spelunkerd]

Well done, man! I'm truly impressed you got that back one. There's no better example of how mechanics have to do the most difficult welding tasks, it's all about access.

[@jackburnell3209]

Patience is the third most important trait in a mechanic, right behind skill and the right tools.

[@MailmanWilly79]

Man,my hoop was clenched on that last one! Best feeling in the world when you accomplish something like getting those out!

[@KerrvilleMo]

I love the sarcasm and the fact that you're willing to admit that you don't know everything

[@steveschaff8848]

There are those that call it stubbornness, I choose to call it tenacity I suppose which depends on the outcome. Nicely done

[@marcmendes6961]

Bless you Ray for using those welding helmet graphics throughout the vid... I had my eyes closed in anticipation on the 1st weld, and wondered where the brightness was. This may have been one of your finest moments outside of an engine compartment...

[@lechatbotte.]

I love the welders mask would be cool if you could look through it, then we have a view like yours. For a non welder I think you do great. A good welder isn’t born they’re made of lots of practice like everything.

[@Nafpaktos-Florida]

You're the MAN!!! And I thought only Scotty Kilmer was the MAN! NOW I can say there are 2 REAL mechanics!

[@RainmanRaysRepairs]

Don’t forget Eric O at South Main Auto, he’s the GOAT 🐐

[@Nafpaktos-Florida]

@@RainmanRaysRepairs I'll take your word on that! That makes 3!

[@OcelotTheFurious]

It's a huge win when you extract a bolt that broke that deep in the head. Just imagine all the work that had to be done if you didn't successfully extract it

[@peted5217]

shouldn't the tech be entitled to at least 50% of what's saved with his persistence and skill ?

[@johnchristopherson2718]

i KNEW YOU COULD DO IT !!! GREAT WAY TO NOT GIVE UP.

[@johnbiesz7250]

Excellent job editing and adding effects, all ways entertaining and educational. Keep up the good work Ray

[@RainmanRaysRepairs]

Thanks, I was really stressed over this one. The edit was really tough for me. 😣

[@bradhaines3142]

@@RainmanRaysRepairs caught the little effect when you welded the first one, nice application of editing

[@PMD_Bill]

Victory!!! A hint for the 3 studs in the cast iron manifolds - get them nice and hot, then press a candle to the base. The wax will wick into the threads. Spray lube just vaporizes and burns off instantly.

[@Dave-ty2qp]

I've had a great time watching this video, and reading the comments and replies. Many of the fan base are right Ray, you'll never become a welder, but factually neither will the fan base ever become a great auto tech. LOL You do good enough at welding to get-er-done. Keep em coming Ray.

[@soundman6241]

And the customer really appreciates your persistence

[@johndesaavedra1040]

Skill and persistence. I expected to see this head off on the bench by now. Good work.

[@MrRobert1603]

Always disconnect battery when welding! Good job! Thanks

[@terrymorris1335]

I have to congratulate you as your welding skills have improved .......That's from a retired welder 👍👍

[@richardsweet5853]

I would have never bet that you were going to be successful on removing that last stud. Good for you for hanging in there and getting the job done. Although it took more than hour to remove the stud, it was still less time than it would have taken to remove and replace the head.

[@DraftySatyr]

Loved the welder's mask! 🤣🤣

[@tonygonzalez9699]

Same!

[@kellyc2425]

Ray has more patience than the Pope!! Not kidding!! Off the charts mechanical skills!!!!

[@oldschool1993]

For the ones broken below the surface, try a die grinder to remove the few threads showing in the head. Even though your weld will not stick to aluminum, the slag can flow into the threads and make it harder to turn the stud. also you die grinder will clean up the end of the stud and give you a cleaner weld with better connection.

[@williamallen7836]

Small pieces of copper tubing that just fits in the hole works as well. Plus gives the nut something to sit on. You want the tube to just protrude above the surface so the nut can still be welded to the stud by filling up the tube with weld. There's 5 ways to achieve such things. Some more destructive then others.

[@1soupasaurus]

Instant like for the animated welding masks. Your humor is spot on.

[@richardlambert1544]

When you weld a broken stud or bolt the steel has expanded so by spraying loosening oil while it's hot will suck in making the extraction a better chance for success

[@mikehunt908]

Makes sense 👍

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Absolutely!! Positively!! Definitely!! Proven effective technique.

[@Bialy_1]

@@Watchyn_Yarwood It did not work this time... and oil have its boiling temp so spraying it on red hot steel gonna make it suck temperature out of the red hot metal. It could work on steel on steel action, because the bolt if colder gonna be smaller but here in case when its in metal that is very good heat conductor? Unlikely that it gonna work.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

@@Bialy_1 Spoken from years of experience? Ha! Spend your life getting your hands greasy then come back and tell us how it is. I speak from experience. Do you? I was turning wrenches when you were probably still wet nursing.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

@@Bialy_1 And as to your opinion, DILLIGAF?

[@45AMT]

One of best things about watching this channel is When Ray thinks you need a welding helmet you get one right the on the screen. My eyes thank you!!

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Loved "can't drill it because there is a car in the way" 🤣

[@gregandkatecox2612]

your patience to achieve the impossible is like a super power.

[@djosbun]

Great job hanging in there, Ray. I’ve had to pull two exhaust studs (the last ones near the firewall on each bank) on a V-10 F-350 and had to break out the welder for one of them. It’s a crappy job but feels great when you are victorious!

[@PlumberD]

Patience is a virtue and you sir are rich with virtues…I’d thrown tools and bad words quite some time ago!!

[@copperheaddesigns672]

a good way to weld to studs is weld a washer on to the stud then weld a big nut to the washer

[@gordonpeden6234]

Love the cartoon welding mask over the actual weld so boilermakers don't get upset/jealous. Damn fine outcome too, Well done sir!

[@arvindsingh-qp7rg]

Good job Ray , it pays to be persistent . thank for all the videos , it makes my day .

[@JDX123]

How nice would it be for car makers to use stronger bolts in areas prone to seizing! Awesome job. Your patience and persistence is a real treat to watch

[@johnnyhotrod]

Believe it or not sometimes it’s better for them to break.Try drilling a grade 8 bolt,that’s a pain.Also the bolt will snap if the manifold warps,if the bolt was stronger and didn’t break the threads would be wrecked.

[@artmario5429]

Sometimes it will seize after it breaks free. I always spray after it breaks free, idk. Also, I think going back and forth after it breaks free help? Also, I'm a believer in melting wax. (Yes, I know this has been " debunked")

[@anthonyoneill2159]

I can't believe you got that last one!!! I would have given up after the second attempt. Awesome work Ray!

[@ianburit3705]

A good job done very well so you show us all.. While Its just work for you, it gives the rest of us Inspiration to tackle jobs that would seem impossible IF we had not watched your videos of tackling jobs we hate but maybe need doing.. Thanks Ray, our learning curve never ceases with your guidance.. Respect - Ian.B. UK.

[@mikeboring2172]

Tenacity thy name is "Ray"! Wow! That was amazing. I would have given up and just accepted the fact that I would have to remove the head. Way to stick with it, Ray. And what a great example for the rest of us DIYers. Thanks, man.

[@fatblokes_ferguson]

Great job, I would of done the same except used the largest nut I could find to get more weld on the stud, when you dumped the hot stud on your bench I was expecting it to touch your drink bottle and melting s hole lol. Well done 👏👏

[@lorditsprobingtime6668]

I did suggest to him in another thread drilling the thread out of the nut, your idea is a very good one, especially with such limited access as he had here, drill that thread out as well as your idea and he's got much better access to the area he needs to work on and better surfaces to weld to.

[@rogersiples3335]

I hate getting broken bolts out especially when they're hard to get to. You did a great job.

[@zacbrain]

Just had to go through this recently on my own hoopty. This happens so much on GMT800s that there are actual kits that bolt onto the engine on the backside to hold the manifold down if you can't weld em' out KAP169 KAP108 are the parts numbers for anyone that runs into this.

[@adamballou1295]

I’ve never seen a gmt800 that didn’t have an exhaust manifold leak

[@samholdsworth420]

Dorman

[@mikeh6876]

Quick tip - canned air (can turn upside down) will rapidly cool the bolt/weld and can actually make the bolt shrink away from the block. Canned air is really R134.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

The heat from the welding is what breaks the broken bolt. The nut is the part that allows you to turn it.

[@davidpost80]

Makes me want to drive a 1000 miles and have Ray work on my vehicles.

[@markseaman4750]

Well done Ray! Your perseverance paid off. My question is: How do you charge the customer? These kinds of repairs can end up eating up a lot of time and charging by the hour at shop rate can turn the bill into a monster. If you had to remove the head it would have been an even bigger bill. Part of the non-cash payoff for you is the satisfaction of beating that problem. Been there, felt that a time or two.👍😂

[@aeroearth]

The absolute golden rule on car exhaust systems is NEVER use steel nuts on steel studs and bolts. They HAVE to be brass. If the Tahoe Design Engineer had been around me and I'd been doing that job, there could have been some pretty violent retribution. Imagine the few cents "saved" vs. the absolute certain grief all over the USA every time some hapless poor soul has to do things like welding down a broken stud hole - four times - because the Design Engineer didn't specify BRASS nuts. Brilliant Ray, just brilliant!

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

If OEM good quality studs were used, the manifold holes slightly slotted to allow expansion and contraction, with washers under long brass nuts...as in the old days...you wouldn't have this bullshit problem either. Until the bean counters nixed the good engineering...of course.

[@hillarylevenworth8824]

250k miles on that POS. Not to bad.

[@elypeachy3296]

Holy sht this was nerver wrecking, didn't think what you did with last stuck broken nut was even possible. Level of dedication is insane.

[@scottbishop7899]

You need to match the power to the speed to give it a consistent 'sizzle', if the speed isn't high enough it'll stop n start. You could weld a washer to the stud and then a nut to the washer, that way you don't have to build it up as much. Sometimes taking it off while still roasting means it's like heating it with the torch, slapping cold water on it to shock chill it. Many ways to skin the cat 🐈 😻 lol

[@daviddobson4006]

Here’s the washer trick again! It works.

[@tomranc]

A lot of community colleges offer welding courses. I learned a lot in one semester. Made quarter midget race cars for my son afterward. You might even be able to get one at night. Love your videos!

[@lovetolearn5253]

There's nothing wrong with what your doing, I do the exact same thing. I hate when people say things just to try and embarrass or be little you/me/anyone. Its one thing to say "hay Ray thats not a bad job but have you ever thought about trying this or moving that". Someone like that is truly offer help and not criticism. Its funny when someones been doing something a certain way for 10 years and never had a comeback or complaint but you have that 1 naysayer saying "your going to ruin that car/job" or " I bet that won't last a day".

[@Yukonjackman1]

Thanks for the eye protection at 67 I appreciate all the help I can get

[@sfeather7088]

VICTORY !!!!! I was literally sitting here with fingers crossed....and then clapping and smiling :)

[@lorditsprobingtime6668]

RAY! I'd strongly suggest you get or if you've got a DC welder, set up a TIG welder with it. You start adding wire immediately with a MIG and you're trying to weld a nut onto just the tip end of a stud while it's cold and you're trying to line up with it before it gets covered in metal that hasn't fused to that end, or at least, not well fused to it. With a TIG you could work on the recessed broken end and KNOW that you've got a weld puddle to build up from BEFORE feeding wire into it. I've worn a lot of hats in my 66 years, from my first job supposedly as a lube operator as my first job where I wound up doing everything, including rebuilding gearboxes to tune ups (when you actually did adjust mixture, timing etc) and anything and everything in between to a general maintenance hand and eventually being classed in that big factory as a maintenance fitter in a very well equipped workshop with a good (bought brand new while I worked there) milling machine and a couple of lathes, one a very good general purpose one and also while I worked there, a TIG. That was a big pharmaceutical manufacturer so everything in the factory are had to be either stainless steel or Teflon so I pretty quickly took to the TIG and found it fantastic for welding Stainless and leaving a beautiful finish but also it was ideal for fine detail type work including exactly that sort of thing. You could have got that end nice and molten BEFORE adding extra metal ensuring you'd be able to make sure you've got a good bond all the way around first. Another trick that would help when welding a nut on is stick it in a drill press vice and if it's a nut for an 8mm bolt (just an example) drill it out to 8mm and get rid of that thread that ALSO makes things harder and would help even if using the MIG. Since those days I've worked as a maintenance fitter in several places, all up about 8 years as a purely a welder, a full time machinist, a self employed (and failed) prospector, a drover, a harvester operator, a long haul semi driver, a furniture removalist and a rural type fencing contractor but a welder more than anything else and I hate fiddly jobs like you've got there, you do amazingly well at this sort of thing considering how you were doing it AND how awkward it was. PS: I've had problems with liners getting a build up of crap from dust or slightly rusty wire they were too cheap to just chuck. I have had it suggested giving the roll a spray of something like WD 40 but once it's rusty that may help it run better for a while but only really helps that rust to come off during it's travel through that inner liner so making things worse in the long run, just replace the thing, do check and probably try with a new nozzle tip first though as I have had spatter fused into the end enough to make the wire still run but jerky which really makes things a lot harder to do a neat weld and is so easy to change. I honestly think the best advice would be get or set up a TIG welder and keep the Tungsten electrode needle sharp as that very noticeably helps direct the arc exactly where you want it, just an electrode and I think a polarity change and you can also weld Aluminium though it presents it's own difficulties, mostly being that you have to usually get the entire thing close to it's melting point and if you're not careful you can find the whole area suddenly collapsing on you. Practice a fair bit before trying anything important in Aluminium and ALWAYS remember, clean the surface you're going to weld as best you can and you can get fantastic results with a TIG welder.

[@davidmcguigan741]

I like the welding helmet over the the light from the welder, so we don't burn our eyes. That is what I was taught in shop welding class never look at the light without eye protection.

[@gr7485]

Good job Ray. Perseverance won the day.

[@cabottaxi]

You have the patience of a saint getting those bolts out.

[@ronaldtom1102]

Great Work Ray, U got a lot of patience not to surrender...

[@MrRunner]

OMG what a nightmare. Well done you. Manifold bolts are THE worst. Cooked to well done for years, nicely brittle. I had one in 1980, an E Type jag of all things, belonging to a neighbour (Tinsmith, top notch craftsman). MIG/TIG were unknown, three bolts snapped below the surface of the head. It took me three days. Heating each one, drilling the core and using easy outs. Never again.

[@etowahjazz]

You get a gold star for persistence!!! AND patience!!

[@BlackCloud82]

Ray, a prime example of "Never say die". Way to go!!

[@MGBDCM]

I have NO idea why I watch your videos! Maybe, because as an olde worn-out mechanic, I really do miss those days... So now, I support the trade... I sell automotive tools 'n Equipment, fasteners, and am a Independent AMSOIL dealer...

[@garygarafano8341]

Not a welder either, but a real welder years ago told me to weld a large washer to the broken bolt/stud then weld a nut to the washer. Worked well for me years ago.

[@moparmikesms2774]

As a ASE mechanic, I love the lifetime warranty many tool companies offer. They know as a mechanic you will torque, heat, and bend your tools. If they didn't want the business, they wouldn't offer the warranty! That is why they sell a 10 dollar tool for 100 bucks. This is not wood shop or a library!

[@TXCherokee]

You are a true Master of Automotive knowledge RAY. 😄

[@hickorystx]

OMG, I was sitting on the edge of my seat holding my breath for your success after such a gallant effort! Thank you for your patience and moving forward with the project. Glad it worked out, breathing is good as is your video!!! Thanks for the cliffhanger episode, it was well worth the viewing!!! 🤩

[@unclemikeslocksmith5530]

Congrats brother!! Good thing you stuck with it

[@toddlynch7282]

This is such a common problem on all the V8s of that era. I had an '04 LQ4 that needed bolts. I did the exact same thing to get the old, broken bolts out but, thankfully, I didn't have any that were busted within the head. Got new bolts, used some high-temp anti-seize, and called it good for another 100k miles.

[@vikingxlord3185]

I want to say a big thank you Ray for all the videos that you made from doing oil changes now I’m doing my own oil changes. Keep on clicking

[@rodneykunerth3426]

As a technician myself , there is no better feeling than getting a broken bolt out !!

[@robortkristensen3818]

Well done. I would never have even tried to do this before, but this boosts my confidence

[@timmylittle2406]

That circle back stud deserves a victory beer.

[@NickStewartProgrammer]

Well Done! I had 3 broken bolts in my motorcycle engine head that I had to take the head to a machine shop to get them out. They also did a valve job for me so it was two birds with one stone.

[@richardball9116]

my dad showed me 50 yrs ago to weld a flat washer on first then a nut on it. The washer can be the next size smaller to help prevent being welded to the head.

[@d46512]

As you slow the wire speed also reduce amps to prevent the wire melting before it gets to the weld. Conversely add heat with increasing speed to keep the weld hot enough.

[@jameshollingsworth4714]

No fan of posterization, or whatever your video editor calls it, but i do love these miracle saves. I'm sure you have seen the aluminum plates that hold a nut centered over the recessed broken stud.for welding. They make this job a lot easier. Great fix, thanks.

[@aaronbritt2025]

Just one thing to keep in mind... Aluminum melts at about 1250 degrees and a MIG arc is about 3000 degrees. A modicum of caution is required.

[@fredwalker839]

I know this too! I allways wonder why the corner of the head does not melt with the amount of heat Ray put into it?!

[@avengerjcc]

I've done hobby/handyman welding for years, never heard it called electric glue, but that's what it's called now.

[@thetransporter2411]

I think the beat title to this video is mission impossible ray😄😄👍🏻👍🏻