well... on one of the rocker arms (pulling them to take the heads off) the bolt is starting to round... I had used an impact 8mm socket but it wasn't deep enough and didn't get a good bite...

Now any other 8mm I try either breaks or just starts to round it more!

I found that 5/16" is a tighter fit but I broke 2 of them tonight (1/4" drive, need to buy a 3/8" drive one tomorrow) ... just in case this 5/16 doesn't work and the bolt still won't come loose and rounds more... what are my options?

If necessary I can break the rocker arm (not sure how though) since I'm not reusing these heads and should be able to find a replacement stocker (don't wanna go to the 1.8:1 since I'm using a TR224 cam)

Thanks!

 

I didnt look in your "extensive" mod list, but it this the torque they came from the factory with? I take rocker bolts *off* with an air ratchet (not impact wrench, just one of those little air driven ratchets) all the time. Sound like its extraction time before you muck things up any more. Some places may have a stud extraction set they might loan to you or you can get the bolt extraction stuff from lotsa folks including Sears and with a small hole started in the top, you can extract it out. Some do things like grinding new flats on opposite sides and then fitting a wrench over the new sides. If you are breaking sockets left and right, this sounds rather odd. Its an aluminum head casting...be careful.

chris

 

you need a 6 point socket. . .either 8mm or 5/16".

Of course, try the 8mm first. . . then 5/16" if you need something tighter. . . you may need to even tap the 5/16" on w/ a hammer.

 

And make sure it's a 3/8's drive <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> I've snapped 3 sockets on one car before.All 1/4 drives.The factory uses some loctight on the heads of the bolts that work pretty damn good.

 

just get yourseof a good pair of vice grips, get a good hold on it, and it should come right off. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

well.. I'm picking up a good set of impact sockets tomorrow (keep breaking sears ones), 1 of the rockers seems to be rounded, so in case I still can't bite it.. any more suggestions?

Right now here's what I plan on doing:
1. Try impact socket in 5/16"
2. Try vice grips, grip lock and turn
3. Cut in the middle of the bolt and use a screwdriver to turn

any other suggestions ideas? I've got 1 head off but need to get these rockers off the drivers side to get the drivers head off

Thanks again!

 

TTT .. this damn rocker arm problem is keeping me awake <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> I'm looking at getting some Yella Terra 1.7:1 rockers... so worst case I have no prob ruining the rockers and/or the head! just need to get that damn head off <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by robertbartsch:
<strong> ...does this confirm that Sears hand tools are not very good...?

...besides being very clunky to work with I assume they are not very strong... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">yup!

I got the bolt off today no problem (well Big D did <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> thanks again bud!)

Went up to the local Harbour Freight outlet store, and bought a really nice impact socket set (Pittsburgh) ...

Damn sears crap... I'd put it on and it'd either 1. snap/crack/break or 2. start rounding the rocker arm bolt (and this was w/a 5/16" which is slightly smaller than 8mm...)

The Pittsburgh set was nice! had to pound the 5/16 on it was so tight... all the rocker arms came right out and soon after we got that head off <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

16 brand new rocker arms (yetta something or other, stock 1.7:1 ratio) and 16 rocker arm studs on order should be here soon <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Guess I truly am replacing the ENTIRE valvetrain (cam, lifters, pushrods, rocker arms, springs, valves, retainers)

Oh well... I'm so happy now that both heads are off <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Also let this be a lesson to everyone... don't buy cheap tools to work on your car <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> if I had good sockets from the get go I'd of never had this prob

<small>[ April 17, 2003, 10:00 PM: Message edited by: horist ]</small>

 

...does this confirm that Sears hand tools are not very good...?

...besides being very clunky to work with I assume they are not very strong...

 

Damn we broke a 8mm 3/8's socket when taking off my rocker arms also. But I think we broke it cause of pushing on the wrench at an angle, but it still should have never broken. But we got it and the rest off with a quarter inch 8mm socket <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

I think people like sears now because of how great they are. Almost all tools will break, but the nice thing about craftsmen is walk into any sears, and hand it to them, and they will pull you out a replacement no questions asked.

I mean if Snap-on and Mac tools didn't break, why do they have trucks running around to replace tools, yes I know they are better but are they that much better.

 

I busted 4 sears 3/8" ratchets in one day truing to loosen a bolt on my Ford. On the 4th, it was in the parking lot of sears to "prove" to the sales rep I wasn't abusing their tools and lifetime warranty.

I went around the corner to Wal-Mart and got a Stanley ratchet and still use it today! Sears IMHO is total crap anymore.

 

Really! ...I bought a ton of Stanley hand tools sold at Walmart...I have not used them much at all but I'm glad to hear they are somewhat better than Sears...

...I never liked Sears tools, primarily becasue they are big, clunky, don't fit in tight spaces, and look like some tools you would buy your 7-year old kid so he could take his bike seat off...

...Walmart also used to sell a brand of tools called "Popular Mechanics" before they went to Stanley...

Question 1 : Does Popular Mechanics still make tools, my Walmart does not carry them anymore; were they bought out by Stanley? Walmart used to have a great selection of Popular Mechanics tools - their Stanley selection is very limited, however (Boo)...

Question 2: Anybody use Home Depo (Huskey) tools - they are moderately expensive and don't look like they fit in tight places but they look very strong...kind of like MAC tools Versus Snap On tools...

I would love to own Snap On's but I'm a shade-tree maechanic now and they are too pricey for occasional use....

 

I've broke a few Crapsman tools also but never a Husky. For a while at least you could trade a Crapsman tool straight across for a Husky with no charge!

 

Crapsman tools are not even cheap to buy: i can't beleive they cost as much as they do and are crummy to boot...Sear should go back to selling insurance...

Home Depo used to carry a great selection of Husky tools....I assume they don't sell well at all because their selection has been cut to a bare minimum now....I thought at first Huskey was going out of business or Home Depo was switching brands...apparently, they just don;t sell so the Depo is giving the self space to other products...