So I'm cleaning up this 360 I got recently, getting ready to put it in, and when I took the intake off one of the bolts snapped. What I need to know is, can I just ignore it lol? Should I try to JB weld this corner down? We've tried drilling it, we've tried welding a nut to it and that keeps snapping as well as an easy out bit, which snapped twice. Its the snapped bolt from hell basically.

In the photo above, it is the bolt on the front left.


In this photo it is top right.

TIA, also, I got some shorty headers for it, just getting the paint stripped off of them now before I mount them up.

 

Before one of the parrot knowitalls starts shouting in ALL CAPS!!!, I'd have to say these manifolds are not known for their sealing ability anyhow and being right next to the water passage, it's 'easy out' time, sorry.
Some one will likely argue the exact opposite.
Just to argue.
As long as the only warranty is to yourself, do what your common sense and conscience tell you.

 

That bolt needs to be removed and replaced. If you have a welder, you may be able to weld a nut onto it in order to back it out...

 

Or not so easy out, Make sure you drill a pilot hole exactly in the middle. IF the easy out doesn't work you will have to drill it out then use a heli coil.

 

Been there! Two months ago, actually. Just like many others who have tackled the infamous plenum job, those front two bolts are especially susceptible to disintegrating and turning to rust dust. I broke an extractor off in one of mine but was able to drill both out and retap the threads. Got a third with vise grips. Give it another go, take it slow, and make sure to use a good cutting/drilling oil and invest in some primo bits. To answer your question directly, someone had already attempted the plenum on my truck prior to me and left snapped bolts (see rear left near distributor). Replaced with the Hughes Kit and haven’t had any issues.

 

Yep, that bolt has to go. You can drill all the way thru it though, as that hole opens into air. Sharp drill bits, and patience.

 

I did a major tune up, including the plenum kit, and broken bolt recently. I drilled a little bitty hole through the broken bolt and managed to get it straight. An EZ out did no good, I couldn't get it to bite tight enough. Since it's outside the oiled section of engine, just drill it out larger and larger until the hole is empty. I tried everything you mentioned.

Now, I did add a couple of refinements. I covered the valley with several layers of paper towel and wrapped a large ceramic magnet in a paper towel and set it next to the hole to catch the metal bits. When a lot get built up, take the wrapped magnet over to the trash, take the magnet out and shake it. Rewrap and repeat. Once the bolt is gone, a Heli coil for 5/16th needs to go in. It doesn't have to hold a lot of torque. One other thing I did was put a couple of threaded rod sections about midway back. One on either side.My engine was in the truck but that will guide the intake down straight lessening the chances of an oil leak later.

 

I didn't realize it yesterday, but there was an easy out snapped off inside the bolt. I managed to get that out after breaking two brand new matco drill bits . My problem now is that the drilled hole is not centered on the bolt, not my doing lol. I've stripped all of my easy outs trying to get them to grab.

 

Start with a bit smaller than the hole you want to end up with, and step up a bit at a time. Eventually, what's left of the bolt will come out, and then you can helicoil the hole.