Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rocker arm bolt rounded off. How do i get it off?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-22-2012, 10:41 PM
  #1  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
firehawk68mcleod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: missouri
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Rocker arm bolt rounded off. How do i get it off?

I was in the process of taking off my 241 heads, when i started taking the rockers off when I rounded off the 8mm bolt. How do i get the bolt out? It seem like when ever any off my buddies go to pulling the rockers off we always round off the hex heads. And they always feel way tighter than 22 ft lbs lol. Do you guys have any solution to this? or how to get these bolts? thanks and i have been using a 5 point socket
Old 06-22-2012, 11:36 PM
  #2  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Grimes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I assume you mean 6 point socket, but a good trick is to use a long ratchet, and give it a quick "impact" like snap to get it started off. But with a 6 point, there is no reason to be rounding things off. Are you sure it's the right size?

You can try an ezout or the like; or you can just grind the head of it off.
Old 06-23-2012, 12:39 AM
  #3  
TECH Addict
 
mark21742's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PA/MD
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

I know we have used a socket from Craftsman that bites and locks down on rounded bolts.....had to use it on one of my friends rocker bolt....less than an eighth of a turn and it spun out with our fingers.....they can be a pain, specialties if you are using a worn socket.

Try a 5/16" 6 point and see if that works better
Old 06-23-2012, 09:07 AM
  #4  
TECH Addict
 
SladeX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

When I had this happen, I stuck some paper in the socket to provide a "jamming" effect when trying to remove. I do recall tapping on the socket to get it on. I broke 2 brand new mastercraft 8 mm due to how it rounded. Thank god for lifetime warranties.
Old 06-23-2012, 10:23 AM
  #5  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
firehawk68mcleod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: missouri
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yeah i meant 6 point lol. Ive tried different both 5/16 and 8mm bolt feel like they have a little bit of slop around the rocker bolt. I just walked away from it before i striped more lol
Old 06-23-2012, 10:30 AM
  #6  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (9)
 
firemech21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Langley AFB (Hampton VA)
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

If you dont plan to reuse the bolt one trick I have used, is to tack weld on a new nut and take it of with that.
Old 06-23-2012, 10:39 AM
  #7  
TECH Addict
 
mark21742's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PA/MD
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Or cover EVERYTHING, then grind the head off...once the head is off you can just slide the rocker off and spin what's left of the bolt out with your finger
Old 06-23-2012, 01:20 PM
  #8  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (361)
 
618HAWK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Lomita CA
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Try a set of these havfe worked great in the past.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=33-60926416-2
Old 06-23-2012, 02:40 PM
  #9  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (21)
 
5w20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Houston , Tx
Posts: 3,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default



easiest way to remove it.
Old 06-23-2012, 02:54 PM
  #10  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
 
99Bluz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: C. V., Kalifornia
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 618HAWK
Try a set of these havfe worked great in the past.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=33-60926416-2
FYI, make sure you get #52060, not #52061, otherwise you won't have the 8mm remover you'll need.
Old 06-23-2012, 04:50 PM
  #11  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
crainholio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

I've used an impact driver and small sledge w/ one of those Sears removers successfully.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impac...3&blockType=G3
Old 06-23-2012, 09:26 PM
  #12  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (1)
 
gMAG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

In the absence of those special sockets, I've taken an electric grinder and recreated the bolt head, enough to get a smaller socket on it.
You needn't grind each edge to it's bottom... just enough to put the socket on the head.
This all took about 10 minutes.

EDIT...Devic post #15 is right....be sure to cover the area. Sorry, this should be automatic, but it is an important point.

Last edited by gMAG; 06-24-2012 at 08:49 PM.
Old 06-23-2012, 09:33 PM
  #13  
TECH Addict
 
mark21742's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PA/MD
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 618HAWK
Try a set of these havfe worked great in the past.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=33-60926416-2
Yup Hawk, that's the ones I was talking about!
Old 06-24-2012, 12:47 AM
  #14  
Launching!
 
devic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

jb weld the socket on and let it dry all the way, this has worked for me and my brother often
Old 06-24-2012, 12:59 AM
  #15  
Launching!
 
devic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

if ur grinning metal be careful to protect against metal shavings getting all up in there, dont wanna spin a bearing
Old 06-24-2012, 08:50 PM
  #16  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (1)
 
gMAG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by devic
if ur grinning metal be careful to protect against metal shavings getting all up in there, dont wanna spin a bearing
Good point, devic.
Thanks.
Old 06-25-2012, 10:47 AM
  #17  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
firehawk68mcleod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: missouri
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I got it off guys. I was real lucky, i found a off brand socket and it seemed to fit a little tighter. Also, a tip that seemed to work a lot better. be sure to use a large ratchet, so you have slow controlled pressure.
Old 06-25-2012, 12:48 PM
  #18  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (5)
 
SStressin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Long Island
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

same thing happend to me with 3 of them.. i broke 4 8mm sockets. ended up pulling the heads off with the broken rockers on took them to the machine shop and he drilled out the bolts. huge pain in the ***
Old 06-25-2012, 01:02 PM
  #19  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
dm79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

i use this irwin grip sockets. they have been worth there weight in gold! removed even the hardest rusted on rounded off bolt heads from exhuast with these things.

you can buy them at orielly, autozone, and napa

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2006598..._lwgsi=y&cbt=y
Old 06-26-2012, 12:00 AM
  #20  
Teching In
iTrader: (2)
 
ss_454's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 618HAWK
Try a set of these havfe worked great in the past.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=33-60926416-2
I have the same set they also have some with a stem you can put in an electric impact works great


Quick Reply: Rocker arm bolt rounded off. How do i get it off?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:34 AM.