Removing Cam Cover Bolts

[scholtmj]

Looking for some how to info. I have several stripped heads on the drivers side cam cover. T40 doesn't work and T45 won't fit!

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/unclescholt/IMG_2265.jpg

[Dynomite]

Those look like combination Torx and Allen Head :dontknow:

I used the T-40 Torx-3/8 socket and apply lots of pressure down on top of Torx socket when applying torque to the Torx bolt to remove. If the Torx bolt head is stipped..........

Appears to me you have to drill (bit diameter of bolt) so heads pop off. Then remove the cam cover and take a vice grips or as some suggest 8 inch pipe wrench to get a better grip on the remaining stud for removal.

If the Torx are not completely stripped, you might try tapping the Torx in place then push hard (pressure down on Torx) as you turn the Torx wrench.

those are T-40s and you can use a 9/32 drill bit ;)

Trying "other" tricks might mess up those aluminum cam covers :cry:

By the way....you do NOT have to remove Brake Booster to get drivers side cam covers off.

See Removing Cam Cover Bolts the Hard Way TIPS (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20327)
See Removing and Painting Cam Covers TIPS (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3338016-painting-cam-covers.html#post1584893207)

[Pete]

Use the T45 hammer it in basicly making the head of the screw T45
Get yourself a low cost hammer driver local parts store or Sears,put the T45 on the hammer driver give it a few good whacks,always works for me.

Pete

[Dynomite]

Use the T45 hammer it in basicly making the head of the screw T45
Get yourself a low cost hammer driver local parts store or Sears,put the T45 on the hammer driver give it a few good whacks,always works for me.

Pete

I was thinking that at first when scholtmj mentioned T-45 Torx :mrgreen:....yes...that just might work.....great idea :thumbsup:

The trick there is to have a good quality T-45 Torx and once you get it hammered into place keep a lot of pressure on it as you turn. I used the T-40 Torx-3/8 socket. It is also easy to hammer in a T-45 Torx-3/8 socket just using a regular hammer on the socket or the impact driver if you have room.

Hopefully the stripped T-40 Torx are not over by the brake booster :cry:

[Pete]

This is the hammer driver i use.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947641000P

Pete

[Dynomite]

This is the hammer driver i use.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947641000P

Pete
I have one of those impact drivers also :thumbsup:.....but that would take some room to operate. I guess if the alternative is drilling, you got to make room anyway :sign10:

It appears that scholtmj was just replacing T-40 Torx bolts with new Allen Head bolts without removing the cam covers?

Some of those Allen Head bolts look beat on also :dontknow:

[scholtmj]

I have one of those impact drivers also :thumbsup:.....but that would take some room to operate. I guess if the alternative is drilling, you got to make room anyway :sign10:

It appears that scholtmj was just replacing T-40 Torx bolts with new Allen Head bolts without removing the cam covers?

Some of those Allen Head bolts look beat on also :dontknow:

I was replacing the bolts with stainless but now I'm removing the covers. No damage to the new bolts, used the correct torque and anti-seeze when installing.

Two of the damaged T40 bolts are under the brake booster so off that goes.

[tccrab]

I've had luck with stripped torx heads by using a flad headed screwdriver that fits snugly into the torx pattern. I then use a pair of vice grips to clamp onto the screwdriver handle and that gives me the leverage to pop the bolt free.
The trick is to put as much pressure on the screwdriver as possible as you're turning with the vice grips.

I'm guessing that the cam covers are getting the same black crinkle finish (al la Black Widow)?
TomC
'Crabs

[Dynomite]

I was replacing the bolts with stainless but now I'm removing the covers. No damage to the new bolts, used the correct torque and anti-seeze when installing.

Two of the damaged T40 bolts are under the brake booster so off that goes.

Well....normally you can remove cam covers without removing the brake booster. But.....yep....brake booster has to go for sure now :cry:

I am not sure about anti-sieze on the cam cover bolts? Maybe that is for Stainless bolts in aluminum since they may be more conducive to galling :dontknow:

I see recommendations for using anti-sieze on the water jackets (4 bolts each side of injector housing). Anti-sieze on spark plugs also.

[scholtmj]

This is the hammer driver i use.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947641000P

Pete

Thanks, Pete. I will look into that.


I'm guessing that the cam covers are getting the same black crinkle finish (al la Black Widow)?
TomC
'Crabs

I'm actually moving to powder coating with some color. The crinkle paint did not adhere well and was only rated to 200F. All the black under to hood was too much as I'd like the motor to stand out.

[rhipsher]

Yep. Get yourself a hammer drive. Even if the torx is stripped it will dig in the head and still get it out.