Unable to remove screws
 

I have a problem. I am attempting to rebuild my '74 2,0 but I cannot remove the heads because the screws holding the tin underneath the cylinders will not budge. The previous engine builder did not use anti-cease or used lock-tite on them. Either way, they will not budge and I don't want to destroy the screw (the head is beginning to deform. Does anyone have a method of removing stubborn screws? I cannot reach them with vise-grips or similar "tool". Is there some kind of easy-out, etc, that can reach that far into that area? I am guessing someone has had to deal with this at some point. Thanks!

Impact driver.

Impact Screwdriver Set with Case

Those cheese head screws that hold on the tin are pot metal and will deform pretty easily. Spray some PB blaster on there and let it sit a while. Sometimes if you put a little grinding compound on the end of your screwdriver it will bit a little better. Heat can loosen stuck fittings.

I don't know if I would use an impact driver on it, depending on where it is exactly.

If all else fails, use the impact driver. If you break the head of the screw off, drill it out once you get the case apart (on a drill press if you have one). Then go on line and buy a 6X1.0 Helicoil kit. Cost about $20.00 and you will probably use it again. Very common thread size for VW and Porsche (and every Japanese motorcycle ever made).

Note that the screws on the underside of the under-cylinder tin are an odd size, either M5 or M4, instead of the M6 screws used on the rest of the engine tin.

A good penetrating oil can help. HEAT can help, too. Impact tools as well, of course. Make sure you use a screwdriver that fits the slot in the screw correctly; the wrong size slot makes it much tougher to remove the screws.

--DD

What has worked for me is heat and the longest largest screwdriver that will fit the head. I also tap the top of the screw driver with a hammer and use PB. Only some break off ;-)

I had the same problem. I soaked in PB, then heated them up with a torch, then used the impact driver on them. They all came out that way.

I have had luck with a pair of vice grips around the head and a large screw driver all at the same time after soaking over night in PB! Some times I put some heat also!

I replace the screws anyway so the vice grip damage is fine!

"Pot metal"? I think not.

The Cap'n

its really hard to recommend a set procedure for getting these old fasteners out, I just finished a rebuild and the screws near the intake plenum gave me trouble. I ended up breaking them, drilling and going to a 7mm tap and screw. Once the head is off you can drill it out on a drill press and retap with pretty good results. on reassembly i used allen head stainless fasteners to replace the crummy cheeshead screws. good luck

Tthanks for the advise. I had soaked them with some PB and after I turned the engine over and was able to get at them better, I tapped on the screw driver as I unscrewed and they eventually broke free. So all is well.