Hitchcocks Forum

Morning all

Just about to buy a 3/8" socket extension to help with retorquing head bolts on a 500AVL engine and a question if i may?

I am making the assumption you can retorque (5, 50, 500 miles etc) the head bolts without removing the rocker shafts every time if you use a universal joint adapter or flexible adapter, if so what are you guys using, Universal Vs Flexible?

Or do I have to always remove the rockershafts?

Not sure about the layout here but could you get on them with a crows-foot spanner? Just as another option.


If using with a torque wrench, you need to reduce the torque setting to take account of the length the spanner protrudes beyond the ratchet drive. So if there is 1" between the ratchet drive and the centre of the nut, you'd reduce the ft/lb setting by 1/12.

Thanks but not quite what was after, I don't seem to have any type of 3/8" flexible joint so need to buy one but just seeing what works best for this application, plenty of AVL head removers on here!

stinkwheel wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:45 am

Not sure about the layout here but could you get on them with a crows-foot spanner? Just as another option.


If using with a torque wrench, you need to reduce the torque setting to take account of the length the spanner protrudes beyond the ratchet drive. So if there is 1" between the ratchet drive and the centre of the nut, you'd reduce the ft/lb setting by 1/12.

But not if the crow's foot is at right angles to the handle ???

Allanfox wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 9:30 am

Morning all

Just about to buy a 3/8" socket extension to help with retorquing head bolts on a 500AVL engine and a question if i may?

I am making the assumption you can retorque (5, 50, 500 miles etc) the head bolts without removing the rocker shafts every time if you use a universal joint adapter or flexible adapter, if so what are you guys using, Universal Vs Flexible?

Or do I have to always remove the rockershafts?

You need a 3/8ths "wobble bar" extension. (They are very handy and come in various lengths.)

papasmurf wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 2:58 pm

You need a 3/8ths "wobble bar" extension. (They are very handy and come in various lengths.)

Thanks, actually never seen them before, need to get out more!!!

You will need a 12mm deep socket to reach the two nuts under the rocker shafts if you're using sockets in view of the protruding stud length (13mm if you replace them with standard M8 flange nuts).

I can see why you'd want to leave the rockers in place. Getting the rocker shaft through the spring washer on reassembly is a bit fiddly, I filed a taper on a bit of steel bar to act as a mandrel.

A.

Allanfox wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 5:27 pm

Thanks, actually never seen them before, need to get out more!!!

Long reach hexagon keys with a "wobble" end are handy too.
The various "working around corners" tools are very handy. I have carried out many procedures on vehicles/motorcycles that the manuals stated could not be done without a large amount of dismantling. (A magnet on an extendable handle and a similar mirror are also handy.)

Adrian wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 8:55 pm

You will need a 12mm deep socket to reach the two nuts under the rocker shafts if you're using sockets in view of the protruding stud length (13mm if you replace them with standard M8 flange nuts).

I can see why you'd want to leave the rockers in place. Getting the rocker shaft through the spring washer on reassembly is a bit fiddly, I filed a taper on a bit of steel bar to act as a mandrel.

A.

Thanks, have the socket as have had the head off a few times and no worry about removing the rocker shafts at that point, always good to have a look at components anyway but it is the retorquing after a few miles is the pain if you have to remove the rocker shafts again (as you know!) I use a suitably sized centre drill as the taper picks up the washers just nicely Will try the wobble bar to see if it gives me the angle I will need.