Rocker Bolt Problems
Rocker Bolt Problems What can happen next? One week ago the valve spring went on the intake valve of cylinder one. While I was in there I put on some Yella Terra 1.7:1 rockers on. All was well until 2 days ago. Number 7 intake went. So I went to take that set of rockers off and I can’t get it. It’s either the bolt is starting to round or my crappy crapsman sockets are flexing. I tried both a 5/16" and 8mm 3/8's drive. Strangely enough my 5/16" went on without the need of a hammer. I even tried some penetrating oil, but that that didn’t help. I guess I am going to try these next
This
And This
I just hope they fit, cause with the Yella Terra rockers the bolts are recessed in there. If these don’t work, what can I do? Can I drill it out? I don’t want to remove the head, it looks like the valve is okay (spring broke at the top). What if I dry the rocker bolt off real good and jam some JB Weld or some kind of putty in a socket and let it dry overnight? Boy, desperate people will dream up crazy ideas.
This
And This
I just hope they fit, cause with the Yella Terra rockers the bolts are recessed in there. If these don’t work, what can I do? Can I drill it out? I don’t want to remove the head, it looks like the valve is okay (spring broke at the top). What if I dry the rocker bolt off real good and jam some JB Weld or some kind of putty in a socket and let it dry overnight? Boy, desperate people will dream up crazy ideas.
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems how tight did you have them? They should only be 22 ft-lbs max. Using a good 6-point socket should work. Your JB weld idea has been done before 
Tony
Tony
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems I had to use the "impact" style sockets on my rockers, my craftsman ones would flex too much and round the heads off. I had to modify the socket some with a file so that it would fit down in the rocker.. but it works great now.
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems The reason the stock rocker bolts are so tight is because of the Locktite under the bolt heads, not what they are torqued to. To release them, you can heat up the bolt heads with a propane torch; that will melt the locktite. If the head is too damaged for the socket to work on it, you can MIG weld a short bolt to the head and turn it out that way.
Dito on the impact style sockets. I broke an SK brand 8 mm socket removing the stock rocker bolts, then got one of those Black Hawk brand impact sockets and had no more problems.
Dito on the impact style sockets. I broke an SK brand 8 mm socket removing the stock rocker bolts, then got one of those Black Hawk brand impact sockets and had no more problems.
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Re: Rocker Bolt Problems
Not to get too far off subject here.. but I'm curious to know what kind of springs you are running? And how many miles they have on them.
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Teching In
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: West palm beach, FL.
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems don't use standerd sockets everything is metric, 8mm on those and you might have cross theded it you can buy each bolt new for under $4.00 I know I cracked 2 off in my heads
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems
To release them, you can heat up the bolt heads with a propane torch; that will melt the locktite. If the head is too damaged for the socket to work on it, you can MIG weld a short bolt to the head and turn it out that way.
I also thought about welding a new bolt to the head, but with the YT rockers I'm afraid there isn't enough room in there.
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems
To release them, you can heat up the bolt heads with a propane torch; that will melt the locktite. If the head is too damaged for the socket to work on it, you can MIG weld a short bolt to the head and turn it out that way.
I also thought about welding a new bolt to the head, but with the YT rockers I'm afraid there isn't enough room in there.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems Heating up the bolt/head with a torch does work, however you probably will trash your valve seals in the process...
Did you use locktight? What kind?
Really interested in the springs - are these Comp 918s?
I would try a BLACK six point impact socket.
Did you use locktight? What kind?
Really interested in the springs - are these Comp 918s?
I would try a BLACK six point impact socket.
Re: Rocker Bolt Problems Yeah I would replace them all with Comp 918s if I were you. Duals aren't any more reliable or better perfoming, they just keep you from dropping a valve if one breaks, and obviously that doesn't happen every time anyway. Jason at Thunder Racing swears by 918s; he winds his LS1 up to 7000 rpm on them.
