&%#$/<&%#Damn cam retainer plate screws......
#1
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&%#$/<&%#Damn cam retainer plate screws......
I've had problems with these before. But never like this! I got 2 of them out on drivers side. But the other %@#@#$%#$ side is a royal PITA. I've learned that my acetylene torch is my friend. But it didn't help on the last 2. Several years back, before I tried heat, I broke an M5 drive bit on some allen head flat heads. Heat fixed that issue. These are #40 Torx. I hope the ME who designed the newer style plate has to remove his own retainer plate screws. I tried the torch and a cold chisel. Just ruined the screw. I have an impact driver and a BFH. HATE to hit on the cast aluminum like that. It may work on one of the remaining screws, but the chiseled head is pretty much ruined. A few Benjamins for a welder?? NEVER had this problem to this degree before. I'd like to know why GM reinvented the wheel by changing this design from the original LS1 hex head screw design? WTF were they thinking??! It worked great, so they fixed it. Yeah.....
Last edited by grinder11; 07-14-2024 at 09:11 AM.
#2
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WTF..did somebody use Loctite 270 on them?
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Jimbo1367 (07-27-2024)
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Maybe somebody up there doesn't like me or my LS7, LOL! Mobile welder got here, and had to use his Miller generator, because my two 220v circuits in the garage are hard wired. 1 to the compressor, the other to the 2 post lift. Got everything set up and ready, and he started the generator. It ran for several minutes, and stalled! We went out to check it out. The muffler outlet broke off, filling the enclosure with hot exhaust gasses. The thermal protector shut it down. So, we're done for the day!!! Guy is certified and has good equipment. He welds on military stuff for the U.S. Government. **** happens. So I'm dead in the water until at least Friday. DOHHH!!!!!!!
#6
ModSquad
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I’ve had to weld nuts on the face of those heads in the last few engines I’ve had in here. Sucks. Keep your head up Mike, your a trooper.
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G Atsma (07-14-2024)
#7
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When I had that problem, drilling the screw head and using an easy out\bolt extractor worked well. The screw drilled out pretty easily and the retainer plate came off taking the tension off the screw and it came out pretty easily. I also had problems getting the flat head torx screw out on the front rotors of my GMC sierra pickup where drilling the head off worked well too. Not sure why they even need the torx screws on the rotor though since the wheel lug nuts keep the rotor secured well.
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#8
Not sure why they even need the torx screws on the rotor
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Last edited by grinder11; 07-15-2024 at 06:03 PM.
#10
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When I had that problem, drilling the screw head and using an easy out\bolt extractor worked well. The screw drilled out pretty easily and the retainer plate came off taking the tension off the screw and it came out pretty easily. I also had problems getting the flat head torx screw out on the front rotors of my GMC sierra pickup where drilling the head off worked well too. Not sure why they even need the torx screws on the rotor though since the wheel lug nuts keep the rotor secured well.
#12
ModSquad
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I quickly set my mig gun down and put a ratchet on the welded nut to ensure I got to turning while it’s still hot. They backed right out easily. What I had going for me in my favor was that I was disassembling the engines…welding spatter didn’t matter to me. In your case, keeping welding debris out of your engine would be my top priority. I’d consider throwing a couple two-three of my wife’s best bath towels in the kitchen sink, and get them good and wet…not dripping…and stuff them babies in the front of that engine to keep the welding splatter away.
#14
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All you need is an impact driver. Bevel head screws can be a bitch on no matter what they're on. Especially brake rotors. $10 or so at HF. most are 1/2" drive so you just adapt the torx socket. I've only done a few hundred of them.
here's the HF one.
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-bit-...RoCc_kQAvD_BwE
here's the HF one.
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-bit-...RoCc_kQAvD_BwE
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#15
ModSquad
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All you need is an impact driver. Bevel head screws can be a bitch on no matter what they're on. Especially brake rotors. $10 or so at HF. most are 1/2" drive so you just adapt the torx socket. I've only done a few hundred of them.
here's the HF one.
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-bit-...RoCc_kQAvD_BwE
here's the HF one.
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-bit-...RoCc_kQAvD_BwE
#16
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Do yourself a favor and make the next one the old style without the countersunk holes. Mahle B31822 is the part number I used on my LS7, I got it from Rock Auto. I think you may need the ARP cam plate bolt kit to make sure there is enough clearance to the new style cam gear if I remember correctly.
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DualQuadDave (07-18-2024)
#17
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@Bob570 2 questions.
1: Does the ARP kit merely contain 4 low head style hex head bolts?
2: Do all Mahle B31822 plates use hex heads instead of flat heads. Thanks for responding....
1: Does the ARP kit merely contain 4 low head style hex head bolts?
2: Do all Mahle B31822 plates use hex heads instead of flat heads. Thanks for responding....
#18
I used that mahle plate on my last build. A lot easier with the old style bolts. Didn’t have to chamfer it much either for the rollmaster chain. The center hole was punched clean with no extra flashing/lip.
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@Bob570 2 questions.
1: Does the ARP kit merely contain 4 low head style hex head bolts?
2: Do all Mahle B31822 plates use hex heads instead of flat heads. Thanks for responding....
1: Does the ARP kit merely contain 4 low head style hex head bolts?
2: Do all Mahle B31822 plates use hex heads instead of flat heads. Thanks for responding....
2.Yes, that is the non countersunk plate. Uses standard hex head bolts.
#20
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@Bob570 2 questions.
1: Does the ARP kit merely contain 4 low head style hex head bolts?
2: Do all Mahle B31822 plates use hex heads instead of flat heads. Thanks for responding....
1: Does the ARP kit merely contain 4 low head style hex head bolts?
2: Do all Mahle B31822 plates use hex heads instead of flat heads. Thanks for responding....
2. Yes
The part# for the ARP kit is ARP 134-1002. I used that with the a stock Gen 4 timing gear, it's $8 at Summit.