How do you remove a rounded off rocker arm bolt???
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
How do you remove a rounded off rocker arm bolt??? Okay, I'm swapping pushrods, and went to crack lose the intake rocker arm for #3 and the socket spun on the bolt. Checked, and sure enough, the bolt head is rounded.
I went and bought one of those rounded off bolt removers, and guess what, the bolt is harder than the socket, and it started eating away at the socket.
The problem is that the rocker arm protects the bolt head so it's not like you can put on a vise grip or anything without cutting the rocker arm to do it.
One thing I haven't tried is to manually turn over the motor and see if it's possible on the cam lobe and causing the valve spring to put pressure on it. I'll try that and see if it helps, but any other suggestions? I guess I can always sacrifice the rocker arm if I have to, but I'd prefer not to.
I went and bought one of those rounded off bolt removers, and guess what, the bolt is harder than the socket, and it started eating away at the socket.
The problem is that the rocker arm protects the bolt head so it's not like you can put on a vise grip or anything without cutting the rocker arm to do it.
One thing I haven't tried is to manually turn over the motor and see if it's possible on the cam lobe and causing the valve spring to put pressure on it. I'll try that and see if it helps, but any other suggestions? I guess I can always sacrifice the rocker arm if I have to, but I'd prefer not to.
try these, i just bought a set and was amazed on how much torque i put on it, and it didn't slip off. There is this set and another add on set. Hope this helps
This is the set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
This is the add on set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
This is the set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
This is the add on set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
The bolt is still in place, so an easy out isn't an option. The head has just rounded, so the socket isn't catching.
I bought the first set tonight, and it isn't working. It's just spinning on the bolt, and I checked the socket, and the inside is starting to wear away. The factory bolts are hard as hell.
I havn't tried that yet, but what I did try is using j-b weld inside an 8mm socket and will leave it overnight. If it works, I lost a $2 socket, if it doesn't, I'm still back at square one.
I wonder how much a new rocker arm costs.....hmmmm.
try these, i just bought a set and was amazed on how much torque i put on it, and it didn't slip off. There is this set and another add on set. Hope this helps
This is the set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
This is the add on set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
This is the set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
This is the add on set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=bolt+remover
I havn't tried that yet, but what I did try is using j-b weld inside an 8mm socket and will leave it overnight. If it works, I lost a $2 socket, if it doesn't, I'm still back at square one.
I wonder how much a new rocker arm costs.....hmmmm.
...One thing I haven't tried is to manually turn over the motor and see if it's possible on the cam lobe and causing the valve spring to put pressure on it. I'll try that and see if it helps, but any other suggestions? I guess I can always sacrifice the rocker arm if I have to, but I'd prefer not to.
Russ
Trending Topics
$12.35 for the rocker, not too bad:
http://www.sdparts.com/product/10214...RockerArm.aspx
but $4.55 for one rocker bolt is a bit much:
http://www.sdparts.com/product/12560...erArmBolt.aspx
http://www.sdparts.com/product/10214...RockerArm.aspx
but $4.55 for one rocker bolt is a bit much:
http://www.sdparts.com/product/12560...erArmBolt.aspx
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
Well, just as I thought, the jb-weld didn't do ****. I'm tempted just to leave it be for the time being. To get the bolt out will probably require cutting away at the rocker arm. I want to drive the car and enjoy it this spring / summer, so maybe it'll be a fall project....
A 5/16 might work, it'll be easier to get on than a 7mm too. I just use an air chisel 
We'll get set you up with a new rocker and bolt a little cheaper than the site. Obviously, they can't get much cheaper 
We'll get set you up with a new rocker and bolt a little cheaper than the site. Obviously, they can't get much cheaper
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WHIPPLE Superchargers, Procharger, Magnuson, Powerbond Sale, HPTuners packages!, Trickflow, AFR, PRC, CHE Trunion upgrade, $100 7.400" pushrod set, Custom Cam of your choice
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
Air chisel? really?
I'm thinking sawzall on the rocker arm and trunion.
I have broken several of those, just trying to remove or put them back in. They have always seemed to brake easy.
I can't believe the craftsman bolt out kit did not work. Did you tap it on a little with a hammer before trying to turn it?
I have used the bolt out kit on brokne or rounded off manifold bolts and it always works great.
I can't believe the craftsman bolt out kit did not work. Did you tap it on a little with a hammer before trying to turn it?
I have used the bolt out kit on brokne or rounded off manifold bolts and it always works great.
If you get yourself a SMALL vice grip it will fit on the bolt.I just trid it on an old set of heads for ya in my basement.If the bolt is to messed up, cover everything up and grind off the head with a dremel.You will probably destroy the rocker but once the head is gone you can get the bolt out and replace rocker and bolt.Make sure you dont get anything in the motor from grinding.Cover it up good with wet towels so that the crap sticks to the towel.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield, CA
i think the welding idea is the best.
but another idea similar to your JB weld is to use something like this. this stuff is extremely strong. it can be drilled and tapped...http://www.drillspot.com/products/31...10_Steel_Putty
but it still may not work, and the putty isnt cheap....
but another idea similar to your JB weld is to use something like this. this stuff is extremely strong. it can be drilled and tapped...http://www.drillspot.com/products/31...10_Steel_Putty
but it still may not work, and the putty isnt cheap....