One of the students is freshening up a 292. He was putting the heads back together and broke one of the rocker shaft bolts off in the head. I figured he probably torqued it too much or perhaps and bolt was just fatiqued. Anyhow, he buys a new bolt to replace it and the same thing happens - he maintains he hadnt even torqued it to 10 pounds (not sure how he knows that unless that is what he had the wrench set for??) This is occuring in the same bolt hole, all the others went in fine? He ran a tap down the hole and the threads seem okay. Is this a common problem, are we doing something wrong, or is this just bad luck???

Dan:

I don't know this to be a frequent problem, just bear in mind that the original bolts are grade 2, not very strong.  Does the bolt thread all the way in without the rocker stand?  If so, overtorquing is indicated.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

There's something going on there. Something is not assembled right.



Has that rocker shaft been apart? I'm wondering if one of the rocker stands is upside-down or backward or something.



You might try loosening all the bolts and then hand-threading them in without tightening them to see if everything is lining up right.



Snapping bolts like that makes me wonder if there is some sort of side-force on the bolt, bending it as you try to install it.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

further consultation with the student reveals there may have been alittle mis-understanding with the torque wrench think he may have it figured out now, thanks!

Now that's what it's all about--TEACHING.  Way to go Dan.  Good luck with the Y projects.

John in Selma, IN

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"