> When I took my head to Akamai Machine Shop for reconditioning/ exhaust
> valve replacement, they required me to remove the tower, saying they
> didn't think that it could be done, 'nondestructively'.
>
> I tried every means described in the (to date) responses to this
> thread, including the drilling of 1/16th" holes on the periphery of
> the studs for penetrant soaking. Nothing worked (of course). The
> only solution I could think of was to drill out the studs.
>
> Since the head was already removed, this was more easily possible, but
> I believe it could be done in place. I had just purchased a very
> large set of nice new sharp drill bits from Costco, and I started out
> small, as near dead center as possible, progressing to major diameter
> of the studs. I eventually removed enough of each of the studs so
> that I was able to break the tower loose, and remove the remnants of
> the studs from the tower. Enough of the studs remained, to remove the
> portions from the head. I had very little damage to the tower, only
> about 3/16ths", "run out" at the bottom of one of the two holes. ( I
> used J-B Weld to replace the missing metal.)
>
> The suppliers I contacted did not carry replacements for the studs,
> and none could be found locally, of course. Ace Hardware, though, did
> have metric hex bolts of the correct size -- I believe M10 x 4" (or
> so).
>
> So, these two bolts with lock washers have performed very well for me
> for the last 2-3 years, and I think are really a better solution than
> the original stud design. For example, don't think I'll have any
> future problem for tower removal, if it becomes necessary...
>
> Dave
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