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

rounded rocker bolt, need advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 12:05 AM
  #1  
02sierraz71_5.3's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, NC
Default rounded rocker bolt, need advice

What would you guys do to get a rounded off rocker stud out. Ive tried vice grips even hammering a smaller socket onto it and nothing has worked. The bolt head is completely rounded and is slightly recessed and surrounded on two sides by the walls of the rocker.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 12:29 AM
  #2  
oange ss's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
iTrader: (50)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 6
From: Texas
Default

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

same thing happened to me
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 12:51 AM
  #3  
02sierraz71_5.3's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, NC
Default

Do they have a kit thats small enough to fit in there and for an 8mm
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:50 AM
  #4  
Krab's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 1
From: Central Texas
Default

You could also try grinding down two sides of the rounded off head (with a dremel) enough so you can fit a 7mm or 6mm open ended wrench. Or any size really, as long as two opposite sides are flat, and use an adjustable wrench to unbolt it. I've done that a couple of time (not on my car) and it has worked pretty well.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 03:00 AM
  #5  
trymy347's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default re

do you know a friend who has a welder? Just weld a nut onto the stripped bolt.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 06:44 AM
  #6  
2001 Pewter WS6's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (43)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Originally Posted by oange ss
This will work... I have the same set and it saved my *** a couple times... Don't grind it, you will only make it worse.... Been there, done that...
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 07:53 AM
  #7  
NHRATA01's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 36
From: Dutchess, New York
Default

Also you could try using the english equivalent for 8mm, I can't remember the size, but its a hair tighter on the bolt than the 8mm socket. I had that happen to 2 or 3 of my rocker bolts, so I took the standard size socket, had to tap it on gently with a hammer, but it got enough grip to get those bolts out.

Otherwise I also suggest to use the Sears kit.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 09:42 AM
  #8  
02sierraz71_5.3's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, NC
Default

preciate it guys, Im going to sears right now.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 10:23 AM
  #9  
jrp's Avatar
jrp
SN95 Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 7
From: Valencia, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by trymy347
do you know a friend who has a welder? Just weld a nut onto the stripped bolt.

thats what i had to do on two rounded off rocker bolts.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 12:49 PM
  #10  
02sierraz71_5.3's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, NC
Default

ive said it once and Ill say it again if it wasnt for bad luck I wouldnt have any at all.
The new ****** bolt just sheared off at the top of the threads and the bottom half is still in the head. After I get the old one out when Im torqueing the new one pop there it goes I hate ******* cheap *** gm and thier cheap *** parts. Im working on this in the driveway its my only ride and now Ive got to try and find a machinist to make a house call.
Attached Thumbnails rounded rocker bolt, need advice-1.jpeg  

Last edited by 02sierraz71_5.3; Mar 9, 2005 at 01:03 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 01:23 PM
  #11  
LS1Maniac's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, KY
Default

That really sucks man. I know you can use something called an Easy-Out to pull broken bolts out but I've never used one before.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:34 PM
  #12  
-NewLegacy-'s Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Andover, Mn
Default

Originally Posted by NHRATA01
Also you could try using the english equivalent for 8mm, I can't remember the size, but its a hair tighter on the bolt than the 8mm socket. I had that happen to 2 or 3 of my rocker bolts, so I took the standard size socket, had to tap it on gently with a hammer, but it got enough grip to get those bolts out.
Its 5/16
And the welder thing works pretty good, thats what we use at my work!! works about 95% of the time
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:40 PM
  #13  
The Alchemist's Avatar
UNDER PRESSURE MOD
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
Default

I've been down that road before. I ended up pulling the head and having a machine shop drill out the old bolt and put a helicoil in.

A 8mm x 1.25 tap is a good investment considering you use it for the rocker bolts as well as the exhaust manifold bolts.... not a gaurantee against this, but is good insurance.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 07:59 PM
  #14  
02sierraz71_5.3's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, NC
Default

Me and a couple of buddies finished it up at 7:20 with flashlights in the dark. The guy who did the install came over and had some left haded bits and it drilled out really easy didnt have to use the stud extractor. Got everything back togethor and I really need to get a tune for this cam. It comes on strong past 5k the problem is I have alot of timing being pulled, it was so bad that at wot I couldnt get past 4500. Then I went and got some lucas octane booster and that helped alot, my days of buying the cheapest 93 are over with. I have a feeling this cam is going to be hard to tune in this motor we'll see though my tuner is the ****. This past week some of the larger companies on the west coast flew him out there to teach thier people.

If anybody in the south east needs his number pm me. Im trying to get him onto this board.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 08:23 PM
  #15  
2001 Pewter WS6's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (43)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Glad to hear you had a happy ending...
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 09:09 PM
  #16  
02sierraz71_5.3's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, NC
Default

thanks pewterws6
the sears tools work like a charm just tap em on, torque and the bite into the bolt very nice
I love good tools
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:55 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE