lt1swap95

iTrader: (2)

I just tried to take off the valve cover bolts and one of the bolts broke in half because it was so tight on there! So now I have the threaded part of the bolt stuck in the head. I want to take off the rest of them but I am afraid they will do the same thing. HOw should I go about taking them off without breaking the rest?

TrammelZ28

iTrader: (1)

pb blaster and heat

lt1swap95

iTrader: (2)

alright thanks, and how should I go about getting the rest of the bolt out of the head. Does it need to be tapped out or should I just leave it in there and only run 3 bolts on the valve covers?

TrammelZ28

iTrader: (1)

i would get it out. i have a 4wheeler with a broken sprocket bolt and i left it in, it rattled out, and almost caused a big prob. lol

street demon2k3

iTrader: (3)

PB blaster works great, but also dont use a big ratchet either. I've broken bolts off with big ratchets, dont know why but it always happens. I have better luck with smaller 3/8 ratchets IIRC. Just let the PB Blaster soak for a while.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

Bigger ratchet = longer handle, which in turn = more torque applied. A 1/4" impact might work alright if you put it on a low air setting. The constant rapping would work like Trammel had on his ATV, 'rattle' it loose.

street demon2k3

iTrader: (3)

More torque=broken parts and its the same for our 10-Bolts...LOL!

Enforcerws6

iTrader: (1)

Heat always helps get bolts unstuck so warm the engine up real good and see if they come out easier.

SLawson86

iTrader: (8)

i use a 1/4 in. drive ratchet and run them by hand. but then again, i dont overtorque mine either. run them down, and snug them up.

Dragframe

iTrader: (14)

Yup. someone over tightened them =/. Get them out and replace em (the broke botls of course). When you install they just need to be snug.

lt1swap95

iTrader: (2)

So turns out the reason the bolt broke was because lefty loosey righty tighty doesnt apply to my valve covers? I was turning the bolt to the left which I thought would loosen but I was tightening it and it broke because it couldnt tighten anymore. So I turned the next bolt to the right and it loosened really easy. So I got the new covers on and looks great but it sure was a pain having to take all the emissions crap off and the alternator Thanks though for all your input everyone.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

There are VERY few things that are reverse thread, and valve cover bolts aren't one of them.

A tip to help get things loose, oddly enough is tighten them a tad first, then go loosen.

1slowZinthe513

iTrader: (10)

at first.. were you turning it clockwise or counter clockwise

camaro-94-z28

iTrader: (3)

do u no ur right from left???? or clockwise from counterclockwise??? lol but tightening then loosing does help

1SlowFormula

Yeah, those are not reverse threads. I don't want to come off mean or anything, but it looks like you need a little more practice with tools...