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Broken Valve Cover Bolt!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 11
From: NV
Broken Valve Cover Bolt!
ANy of you ever broke a valve cover bolt? Luckily, enough was sticking out that it accepted the use of a small wrench. Actually almost could have done using fingers. But using a torque wrench to tighten them down has lead to a rash of broken bolts even after checking and rechecking the torque wrench. So last night I decided I would this time rip the threads right out of the female side on the head, instead of just breaking a bolt. I fixed it using Permatex Stripped Thread kit which was incredibly simple and allowed me to again break another bolt!!! This time though, that Permatex has the bolt hostage. Looks like I may have to drill it out....anyone have ideas. I seem to like making more work for myself.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
What torque value are you using? Sounds like you are using the wrong value or your wrench is way off. Should be using an in-lb wrench and 106 in-lb.
I have never broken one. I would helicoil the threads, it will be a much better repair.
I have never broken one. I would helicoil the threads, it will be a much better repair.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,764
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 11
From: NV
I know I shouldn't be getting anywhere near it.......but I like creating headaches for myself! I am having one HELLUVA time drilling out the bolt and the PERMATEX......how does 6 hours and only moving 1/4 inch sound??? I have been to Sears, Lowes (twice) and bought almost every bolt remover gadget known to man plus a really nice Dremel engraving set, Cobalt bits, Titanium bits, etc......like the commercial says..."Someone please help me......"
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Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Lexington Mass
I've seen people drill in with a small drillbit at an angle and then use the angle to pry it out with no head on the bolt, thats only on faily large bolts though. I twisted the head off of the only bolt holding down the rear intercoler piping in my VR4 (cant drive a car where the intake has nothing holding it to the rear turbo)! Lucky for me I was at a friends house and his dad was an experienced mechanic so he showed me that trick.
Last edited by Deft; Jan 29, 2007 at 12:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 11
From: NV
Well its drilled out, PERMATEXED again. I will say this...on non critical bolts, PERMATEX's "Stripped Thread Repair Kit" is ingenious and SUPER strong. Better living through chemistry......God I love science. Now.....what is the conversion factor from foot/lbs to inch/lbs?
