Valve cover bolts backed out..help!

jimi_c · 11-07-2005, 07:01 AM

This weekend I tackled a valve adjustment for the first time - the previous weekend I had prepped the car for it, drained the oil, removed air box, ac, blower hose - and the valve covers. When I took off the bottom covers, 12 of the threaded bolts backed out of the case with the nuts still attached. I soaked them for a week in pb blaster - and there's just no way I can back off the nut with the silicone threads. So what do I do - buy replacements, or is there some trick - also are they all the same - it seamed that some had a wider non threaded mid section then others - any help would be greatly appreciated.

Vipergrün · 11-07-2005, 07:18 AM

You could probably clean off the threads on the stud and in the holes and use loctite to hold them there.

TargaT · 11-07-2005, 07:23 AM

Use a double nut arrangement on the opposite end to loosen the old nut. Tighten 2 nuts togethor then hold the appropriate nut to use as the force against to release the old nut. Don't know if this makes sense or not. You can use the same technique to tighten the stud back in using loctite stud locker.

Regards, Joe

Zeke · 11-07-2005, 07:27 AM

I would buy new ones, but you can double nut the threaded side and remove the old nuts. At that point you would clean them up with a wire wheel (not too much pressure) and reinstall in the cam towers. Like Brad said, use some medium strength Loctite in clean holes. The new nuts should work fine then and come off easily next time you do a valve adjust.

Joe beat me to it and did a better job of describing the process.

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Double-nut the other end of the studs; then remove the single nut that's stuck. Remove the double-nuts and install them on the other end. Now you can screw in the studs right down to the bottom. Remove the double nuts and do the same to the next one.
Double-nut is done with two same-size wrenches tightening the two nuts agains each other.

jimi_c · 11-07-2005, 07:32 AM

Ok, thanks guys - I'll run over at lunch and give it a go, thanks.

rbarton · 11-07-2005, 08:34 AM

I just went through the exact same thing two weeks ago. Soaked them in PB Blaster overnight, used a jam nut to allow the stud to be held in place and used two wrenches. I also found that it helps to wear some padded gloves as the nut will be VERY tight and the wrenches will bite into your hands.. Managed to get all of mine off though.

jimi_c · 11-07-2005, 09:38 AM

Just went back and did all 12 in about 30 minutes:

rbarton, you're right about the gloves - didn't use any, hurt like hell.

Thanks for the tip on the fix guys, appreciate it.