Topic: Need some help with my dream car

[Cvillechopper]

A couple months ago I bought my dream car, an '88 Pontiac Fiero GT, 5-speed, with T-tops.  It was running very rough and I found that it had a severe exhaust leak, needed a new timing chain, and a bunch of gaskets and seals replaced.  I dropped the engine out and spent the last few weeks (on and off due to the 13-month old and getting my tonsils out) working on the engine and painting the subframe and assorted parts.

So I am just about ready to put the last items back on when they get here in the mail (hopefully tomorrow) and had forgotten that I had a broken stud that I was not yet able to get out.  This stud is for the cylinder where it large crack in the manifold was so it was running hotter than the rest and the top bolt came out with a little work and was difficult to clear out with the tap I ran through all of the holes before putting in my new exhaust studs.  This last one just wouldn't budge and I ended up having to try and drill it out.  I went through several bits in the 4 hours I worked on it today before having to come in for dinner (and my sanity).  With everything I've done so far I've only gotten about 1/4 inch into the stud (less than 1/3 the necessary depth).  I even went to Lowes and bought a set of titanium bits and an air drill but even they can't get any deeper.  Any suggestions on how to get this damn thing drilled out?

Thanks
James

[tramp]

are you using cutting fluid?

[Cvillechopper]

Yep.  Even picked up some cobalt bits today and tried one with little luck (though it was only for a minute or so).  Gonna try again after dinner.

[Cvillechopper]

Another hour with 2 new Dewalt cobalt bits (one 1/8 and the other 1/16) and made NO progress.  I even used the propane torch on it for about 5 minutes first and have been using plenty of cutting fluid, slow setting on my drill, and as much pressure as I can work up to.  Haven't been able to get any further in.  Thinking about maybe a hammer drill next...

[tramp]

obviously the bolt has hardened
have you tried a smaller drill bit just to get it going?

[Cvillechopper]

VICTORY IS MINE!!!  I called up the local specialty fastener and tool shop and told them about my situation.  They said the bit I need is called a GRT bit and if it doesn't get through it, nothing will so I stopped by after work and picked one up for under $5.  That thing was BAD ASS!  I went slow and used plenty of cutting fluid and that bit acted like I was working on mild steel.  I even went back to the cobalt bits about 1/2 through just to see if it was something else.  Nope.  The other bits couldn't make a dent and this new on ate right through it (in about 1/2 hour with plenty of breaks for cooling and oiling).

I'll never waste time with anything else.  These GRT bits (it's the style, not the company) are amazing.

Thanks for the help guys. 

[tramp]

good for you