Well, I have quite a problem here. I was trying to install new cams and cam gears. The bolts on the cam gears were EXTREMELY tight. So tight that I actually bent the fins on the front of the Torx bit from trying to break em loose. The fins got bent back and stripped the bolts pretty bad. It also didn't help that the holes in the cam bolts were very very shallow.
So, I did get the exhaust bolt loose. But I couldn't break the intake bolt no matter what I did. Since the bolt on the exhaust was already loose... and I had been turning the crank over and such to try to get the torx bit on some less stripped threading, the cam got out of timing. Well, since I couldn't break the intake bolt free no matter what I did, I decided I would just forget it for now, and put everything back together.
Well, I failed to realize that the exhaust cam had been free turning. So when I tightened it back up... it was off. Pretty far off. I guesstimated that the exhaust cam is probably advanced 20 degrees or so now, if not more. And I cannot rebreak the exhuast bolt. I had even went out and bought a new torx bit, and I guess the metal on the very end is just too soft, it rounds over.
It does run, but very very badly. I of course am afraid to drive it. What are my options here?
Some things I've come up with for tomorrow:
1) I could just have it towed to the dealer, have them remove the stripped bolts and install my cam gears and cams for me. I estimated this would probably be a 500 dollar labor charge at least, because they would use the factory procedure for replacing cams, which is pretty darn involved.
2) Maybe I could just ask the dealer to replace the cam bolts for me, and then I could try again.
3) I considered welding an allen wrench or something similar to the bolts, getting them out, and then just buying some new ones. I had considered replacing them anyway because they are reportedly torque to yield bolts. Is there any reason that this would fail or put my engine in danger?
4) If welding to the bolts is a no-no, then I guess they'd have to be drilled out. Big pain and it might not even work.
If anyone has any more input or advice, I would really appreciate it. Right now I don't have a car and I really feel kind of sick to my stomach about the whole thing. Especially since so many people have put on cam gears and have never had a problem.
I'm a big guy, I put a LOT of force on these things. I've done udp, subframe bolts, you name it, all by hand no problem and I couldn't budge the cam bolts. The bolts simply gave way instead of loosening. I really couldn't understand why they would make the threads on the things so shallow.
If you need any more information just ask.
Edit: Okay I just remembered that the welding machine is shooting about a zillion volts, I don't think I'm going to weld anythign to the bolts
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How about dry ice? Ice the bolts down with dry ice maybe they'll shrink and break free? Is this possible?
[ 03-24-2002: Message edited by: FriendlyFocus ]</p>
So, I did get the exhaust bolt loose. But I couldn't break the intake bolt no matter what I did. Since the bolt on the exhaust was already loose... and I had been turning the crank over and such to try to get the torx bit on some less stripped threading, the cam got out of timing. Well, since I couldn't break the intake bolt free no matter what I did, I decided I would just forget it for now, and put everything back together.
Well, I failed to realize that the exhaust cam had been free turning. So when I tightened it back up... it was off. Pretty far off. I guesstimated that the exhaust cam is probably advanced 20 degrees or so now, if not more. And I cannot rebreak the exhuast bolt. I had even went out and bought a new torx bit, and I guess the metal on the very end is just too soft, it rounds over.
It does run, but very very badly. I of course am afraid to drive it. What are my options here?
Some things I've come up with for tomorrow:
1) I could just have it towed to the dealer, have them remove the stripped bolts and install my cam gears and cams for me. I estimated this would probably be a 500 dollar labor charge at least, because they would use the factory procedure for replacing cams, which is pretty darn involved.
2) Maybe I could just ask the dealer to replace the cam bolts for me, and then I could try again.
3) I considered welding an allen wrench or something similar to the bolts, getting them out, and then just buying some new ones. I had considered replacing them anyway because they are reportedly torque to yield bolts. Is there any reason that this would fail or put my engine in danger?
4) If welding to the bolts is a no-no, then I guess they'd have to be drilled out. Big pain and it might not even work.
If anyone has any more input or advice, I would really appreciate it. Right now I don't have a car and I really feel kind of sick to my stomach about the whole thing. Especially since so many people have put on cam gears and have never had a problem.
I'm a big guy, I put a LOT of force on these things. I've done udp, subframe bolts, you name it, all by hand no problem and I couldn't budge the cam bolts. The bolts simply gave way instead of loosening. I really couldn't understand why they would make the threads on the things so shallow.
If you need any more information just ask.
Edit: Okay I just remembered that the welding machine is shooting about a zillion volts, I don't think I'm going to weld anythign to the bolts
[ 03-24-2002: Message edited by: FriendlyFocus ]</p>
