I broke a dam bolt in the thermostat housing when I was switching back to a 195 t-stat. I tried to drill it out with the extractor bit but it wasn't working . So I said forget it and put some water gasket sealant over the bolt hole and it work. But It'* still leaking from through the crack where that paper gasket sit. I don't like that paper gasket, I should've just used some of that gasket maker instead. And this is the second time this happened. I have a problem with over doing things.

Did the bolt break when you were trying to remove it? This is a common problem when mild steel fasteners are threaded into aluminum components. The two different metals in contact with each other tend to oxidize more quickly - the steel rusts and the aluminum corrodes. In many cases, coating the bolt threads with anti-seize when the bolt is installed can prevent problems when the fastener needs to be undone.

A good penetrating oil like PB (yellow can at Wal-Mart -$4) can go a long way toward dissolving the corrosion that can lead to broken bolts. If a bolt is frozen in place, and you haven't yet broken it, clean the joint so the penetrant has a chance to get down between the bolt and the hole. Then, tap the top of the bolt sharply with a small hammer, maybe a 6-oz. Spray again and wait for 30 minutes. The longer you wait, the better chance that the penetrant will be able to loosen the corrosion.

When you attempt to loosen the bolt, use a tightly-fitting socket or box wrench, preferably a six-point. Sometimes, working the bolt back and forth a bit, trying to tighten a little, then loosen a little will allow you to break the corrosion and get the bolt moving. This is a good time to spray some more penetrating oil.

As a last resort, heat can be used in situations where the components will not be damaged or fire is not a hazard. Heat the frozen fastener, then let it cool completely before spraying again with penetrating oil and attempting to remove the bolt. The expansion and contraction sometimes will break the bond of corrosion between the frozen parts.

Did the bolt break when you were installing it? If so, it will be much easier to remove than a bolt that is rusted or corroded in place. If enough of the bolt remains to get a good grip with a pair of vice grips, spray with PB, tap and try to undo it.

If the bolt is broken off flush and you cannot get a grip, then grind the top of the bolt flat and center punch it. Buy a few left hand drill bits. Start with 1/8" and drill as straight as you can through the center of the bolt. Increase the size of the bit until you get close to the size that is recommended for tapping. With any luck, the bolt will come out as you drill.

If not, you can try a screw extractor (EZ-out), but be careful! Don't try screw extractors on bolts that are corroded in place. If an extractor breaks off in the hole, the hardened steel is difficult to remove. If the extractor doesn't pull the bolt, without seeming like it might break, then drill the bolt out oversize and install a threaded insert (Heli-coil).

If the extractor breaks, you are reduced to grinding out the broken extractor with a tungsten carbide tool, drilling the hole oversize and installing a thread insert repair. Carbide bits are sold in many different shapes, so it may be possible to loosen the broken extractor enough to get it out of the hole. The hardened extractor must come out before you can drill the hole.

If all this seems daunting, a good repair shop or sometimes even a machine shop may be able to do the job for you. Broken bolts can be exasperating, and very expensive. The time and cost involved are a good incentive to be careful not to over torque when installing, and to be patient and careful when trying to remove a frozen bolt.

And if all of that fails, aside from a machine shop...you can always put another manifold on there

Even with replacing the lower gaskets, finding one in a JY would probably be just as much as having a machine shop charge you to get it out.

Moved to 92-99. Please don't post mechanical topics in General Chat.

I suggest if the car would be too spendy to tow to a shop that you replace the manifold and LIM gaskets. Especially if you haven't done the LIM gaskets yet.

Take a pic of the problem area from 3 or 4 angles, and put a quarter or pencil in the pics so the machine shop can get an idea of what'* involved. They should be able to quote the job from pics.

Then make your decision on a path forward.

I haven't done anything ot it yet since the gaket sealent is holding the pressure of the coolant. Yeah I broke it off when I was tighten it back up. Thanks for the good suggestions, I think there'* enough bolt sticking to use a pair of vice grips.

Do your car a favor and don't drive it.

When a bolt snaps the first thing I do is try to turn it out. Most bolts break due to the pressure being applied. Once broken, no pressure is in place and the bolt may turn right back out for a replacement.

The force needed to tighten the housing is about 1/20th of what it takes to snap it.

Torque specs are in Techinfo. I suspect way too much force as well.

Either that or he got two defective bolts in a row.