Valve cover leak->broken valve cover studs->broken easy out

[paanta]

Yeaaaah, so now I remember why I swore off using Easy Outs.

I noticed a leak at the back of the engine from the valve cover or the rubber duckie seal. Right rear valve cover stud snapped off while I was torquing them to 89 in-lbs (yes I know the diff between in-lbs and ft-lbs). I assume it was already bad, since when I pulled the valve cover the front stud was also busted off right at the level of the head....I didn't even realize there was supposed to be a nut there. Heh.

Anyway, drilled into that right rear stud, which had snapped level with the head. Put in an Easy Out and the f-ing thing broke off. Obviously it's a whole lot harder than my drill bits. I also don't have a functional welder right now (swapped the gas cylinder for one to use on my kegerator ).

My options seem to be: A) try to get it out with a carbide burr on my dremel, B) take it to someone with the welding skills to extract it, or C) leave it and try to make the valve cover stay leak-free with some silicone RTV.

Anyone had luck with the last option with a missing valve cover stud or two? I really, really, really hate to do it that way...but that's life.