Help !!! Head Bolt problem

[sunrse777]

I am taking the heads off a '93 4.0L. On the left side (driver) one of the Torx ( T-55) sockethead bolts has a major problem... It is #2 in the sequence, one of the four that reside outside the outside the valve cover, down near the exhoust manifold... Well the damn center (socket) section of the bolt head was a nice place for crud to collect over the years.. and low and behold MOST OF TORX PATTERN HAS LONG RUSTED AWAY !!!! I can get the T-55 bit to slightly engage what's left inseide the bolt head, but since these bolts have substantial torque on them.. it will not turn the bolt without slipping out ... Any ideas ??? Anybody else run into this problem before ??? What else can I try other than thee T-55 bit ?? Help!!!! And Thanks...

 

[sandbug]

i have used a 12 point socket before just find one that is slightley smaller then the bolt and hammer it on. they also sell a tool that is made for striped bolt heads. and last resort would be to grind or cut the head off the bolt then you can pull off the head providing ther is enough room, good luck.

 

[sunrse777]

These are Torx Sockethead

These are not regular hex head,, they are Torx sockethead, the head on the outside is round.... not hex to grab onto ,,,, You use a T-55 Torx bit to get them off.. Thanks for the feedback,, but won't work in this application...
I will get a picture...

 

[92exp4x4]

You may have to just cut the head off the bolt to remove the cylinder head. Then use some vise grips or pliers to remove the rest of the bolt once the head is out of the way. They should just spin out because the head is all they tighten against. You have to get new head bolts anyway because they are torque to yield bolts.

Good luck

 

[sandbug]

they dont have to be hex bolts when you get a socket a hair smaller and hammer it on the teeth inside the socket cut groves in the bolt and grip it it has to be a 12 point and the right size. we use to get locking lug nut off this way when someone would lose there key. now they make a set of tools for this reason i got mine from sears but mac or snap-on has them to. the easiest way to go is cut the bolt.