[Z06] Cam retainer bolts almost got me
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Cam retainer bolts almost got me
I did this swap in the garage last weekend by myself. I had no REAL problems with anything until I got to the cam retainer bolts. I used some heat around the bolts as best i could trying to get them hot and not focus on the head of the bolt....no luck, so went and bought 4 new tx bits thinking they would bite better.....one of the "new" ones even snapped off and fell onto the top of the F****** windage tray.....I was so pissed and didnt have anyone to be mad at but myself for that mistake. Make a little piece of metal to fish it out after about 3 hrs dicking around thinking i was going to have to drop the pan LOL.
The 1st one cam right out no problem!!! 2-3-4 fought me till the end LOL I went to 2 hardware stores and bought all the bolt extractors and easy outs the had to offer as well as a new set of drill bits. I then prepped the front of the engine with a ton of micro fiber towels and made a slide to direct the metal shavings out of the area.
Push come to shove i finally got them out and sourced new bolts locally, installed with blue loctite and threw it all back together.
(side note)
I did ask some members questions about stuff along the way and REALLY appreciate the quick responses and info!!!!
SO, if your thinking that something is fighting you......your are not alone my friends.....NOT AT ALL
LOL have a good one guys
The 1st one cam right out no problem!!! 2-3-4 fought me till the end LOL I went to 2 hardware stores and bought all the bolt extractors and easy outs the had to offer as well as a new set of drill bits. I then prepped the front of the engine with a ton of micro fiber towels and made a slide to direct the metal shavings out of the area.
Push come to shove i finally got them out and sourced new bolts locally, installed with blue loctite and threw it all back together.
(side note)
I did ask some members questions about stuff along the way and REALLY appreciate the quick responses and info!!!!
SO, if your thinking that something is fighting you......your are not alone my friends.....NOT AT ALL
LOL have a good one guys
#2
I’ve seen a lot of trouble with these cam bolts. Curious if anyone’s considered using a mini impact which delivers a different type of force. There’s gotta be an easier way or some tricks. When I tackle mine I’m already going to have those Irwin extractors because nothing goes as planned for me. I have that bad luck and glad you were able to ge them out bud
Last edited by JesC6Z; 09-24-2018 at 01:02 PM.
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~STOLEN~ (09-24-2018)
#3
Melting Slicks
That really sucks. I removed mine yesterday without any fuss. I used blue loctite on them in Feb 2017 when cam was installed. Heat should have loosed any threadlocker you had, that's odd it wasn't successful for you. Maybe it need some more heat, bigger heat gun.
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~STOLEN~ (09-24-2018)
#4
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I’ve seen a lot of trouble with these cam bolts. Curious if anyone’s considered using a mini impact which delivers a different type of force. There’s gotta be an easier way or some tricks. When I tackle mine I’m already going to have those Irwin extractors because nothing goes as planned for me. I have that bad luck and glad you were able to ge them out bud
i bought a impact driver that you hit with a hammer (usually to take the phillips screws out of rotors) and it wouldnt adapt to the torqx bit correctly and would have done more damage than it was worth at that point. When i left to get tools, i was PRAYING someone had that irwin kit but no one did....i literally got these out with a $5.00 menards bolt extractor LOL
i felt lucky
#7
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
yup T40 it is......BUT whats weird is that a couple diff websites referred to it as a T40 "plus" ....so basically you need a T40.5 to ensure they come out when someone put jb-weld on the bolts.
#9
Burning Brakes
ARP cam cover bolts and you would not have to deal with the hassle of those torx bolts ever again.
https://arp-bolts.com/kits/ARPkit-de...p?RecordID=229
Cheap, reliable and save you tons of headache down the road.
https://arp-bolts.com/kits/ARPkit-de...p?RecordID=229
Cheap, reliable and save you tons of headache down the road.
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Josh B. (09-24-2018)
#10
Melting Slicks
ARP cam cover bolts and you would not have to deal with the hassle of those torx bolts ever again.
https://arp-bolts.com/kits/ARPkit-de...p?RecordID=229
Cheap, reliable and save you tons of headache down the road.
https://arp-bolts.com/kits/ARPkit-de...p?RecordID=229
Cheap, reliable and save you tons of headache down the road.
Thank you for costing me another $10 in a must-have ARP product.
Sincerely,
Josh
PS, those look awesome.
#11
Burning Brakes
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I was able to get replacements for like 8 bucks. They are allen head and sit flush to the retainer plate just like the OEM bolts.
i was just mind blown that the entire process that it takes to get there seemed easy after dealing with those damn bolts....however, i am NOT a fan of pulling the rack..
I DID however buy 2 diff tools that other members referred me to ... OEM tools balancer puller AMAZING, better than any old school 3 jaw ive ever touched...and the PROFORM balancer install tool made it super easy to get back on as well
#13
I was able to get replacements for like 8 bucks. They are allen head and sit flush to the retainer plate just like the OEM bolts.
i was just mind blown that the entire process that it takes to get there seemed easy after dealing with those damn bolts....however, i am NOT a fan of pulling the rack..
I DID however buy 2 diff tools that other members referred me to ... OEM tools balancer puller AMAZING, better than any old school 3 jaw ive ever touched...and the PROFORM balancer install tool made it super easy to get back on as well
#15
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
can you link those 2 tools so that I may save them? Thanks in advance bud
sure here you go
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEMTools-25090-Harmonic-Balancer-Puller-Kit/202308137554?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3A IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Harmonic-Balancer-Installation-Tool-LS-LS1-LS2-LS3-LS6-LS7-LQ4-LQ9-Proform-66519/192474998311?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3A IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
sure here you go
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEMTools-25090-Harmonic-Balancer-Puller-Kit/202308137554?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3A IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Harmonic-Balancer-Installation-Tool-LS-LS1-LS2-LS3-LS6-LS7-LQ4-LQ9-Proform-66519/192474998311?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3A IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Last edited by ~STOLEN~; 09-24-2018 at 02:52 PM.
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~STOLEN~ (09-24-2018)
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jayyyw (09-24-2018)
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~STOLEN~ (09-24-2018)
#20
Burning Brakes
Had the same problem with one of my T-40 retainer bolts. After snapping off 4 bits in the last screw, took my Dremel and cut a big frickin' slot across the T-40 screw head and then used a hammer and punch to back out the last screw. Use the punch to engage the slot that you cut at the edge of the countersunk screw and drive the screw to back out with tangential blows. What a PITA.
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~STOLEN~ (09-24-2018)