Removing Cam Cover Bolts the Hard Way

[Dynomite]

The part about pulling Cam Covers with Engine In Car that I do not want to think about is one of those two Torx-40s bottom row by Brake Booster.....or bottom row toward fire wall on passenger side. If those get stubborn it is almost pull engine time

I would then pull brake booster to see what space is available.

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Wow I zoomed through them with a drill bit when I did it

But you need a drill to fit somewhere for a straight shot at the Torx-40. My drill bits are duller than yours......and drilling gets very messy with shavings all over but drilling is definitely an option

[rhipsher]

This is exactly what I used years ago to get my cam cover bolts off because 50% of mine were a b#@ch to get off. With this impact driver even if the torx pattern was stripped it didn't matter because with every hit it dug in deeper to the head of the bolt in a CCW fashion and drove them right out in seconds. Haven't used it for anything since.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Wow I zoomed through them with a drill bit when I did it

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

This is the ideal device for loosening a "stubborn" anything and is very controlable. Used one this afternoon to remove door hardware on a '58.

Originally Posted by rhipsher

This is exactly what I used years ago to get my cam cover bolts off because 50% of mine were a b#@ch to get off. With this impact driver even if the torx pattern was stripped it didn't matter because with every hit it dug in deeper to the head of the bolt in a CCW fashion and drove them right out in seconds. Haven't used it for anything since.

I am just guessing but I think these three methods being all good methods will only work on ALL of the Torx-40 Cam Cover bolts with engine out of car. The lower row on both the passenger side and drivers side are a tight squeeze toward the fire wall.

[rhipsher]

I did it with my engine in the car but the brake booster has to be out and that box with the heat sink in it on the passengers side has to be removed. Also the inner wheel wells have to be removed then you will be able to get to them at all angles. If I did it you can do it.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by rhipsher

I did it with my engine in the car but the brake booster has to be out and that box with the heat sink in it on the passengers side has to be removed. Also the inner wheel wells have to be removed then you will be able to get to them at all angles. If I did it you can do it.

Ah........OK....removing the inner wheel wells is the trick for lower row of Torx-40.....Leaning every day

And it appears removing the brake booster gives plenty room on drivers side. There still is limiited room on passenger side without removing the evaporator I think. I did remove the box with heat sink which gave more room. but inner wheel wells is the trick required for that lower row of Torx-40s.

Not so sure about if you did it I can do it but thanks

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Okay, I understand about the paint versus PC. I still have nightmares about removing that darn brake booster..............

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Okay, I understand about the paint versus PC. I still have nightmares about removing that darn brake booster..............

I'm with you there Craig!!! What a PITA!!
Rich

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Okay, I understand about the paint versus PC. I still have nightmares about removing that darn brake booster I did not have to remove brake booster as the six lower Torx-40s near fire wall on drivers side came out without issues..............

Hi Craig.......here is the Painted Plenum. Cam Covers get painted today same Silver color
You can see Carter's and Lee's work installed on the Plenum

TB Coolant has been removed.



The Z on Jack Stands for Top End (excluding Heads) with hydraulic jack under Transmission for tilting engine (C-Frame set aside) as required for Cam Cover removal and Plenum Removal (also great height for Exhaust removal and SW Headers/Exhaust installation). I might end up with some John Deere Parts on the LT5

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Scrrem

I'm with you there Craig!!! What a PITA!!
Rich

Yeah, that is something you only want to do once in your life, unless there is an "easy" way to do it that I don't know about? I only replaced my because it looked ugly and I had a new one on the shelf.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Hi Craig.......here is the Painted Plenum. Cam Covers get painted today same Silver color
You can see Carter's and Lee's work installed on the Plenum

TB Coolant has been removed.



The Z on Jack Stands for Top End (excluding Heads) with hydraulic jack under Transmission for tilting engine (C-Frame set aside) as required for Cam Cover removal and Plenum Removal (also great height for Exhaust removal and SW Headers/Exhaust installation). I might end up with some John Deere Parts on the LT5

Looks great Cliff! Man, I wish I had all the room you have there.