EA82 cam box is STUCK to head....

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:31 pm

and it is all my fault as I used Grey Maxx silicone on assembly. Now I need to remove, it won't bloody budge. Engine is in car and I don't have much room to swing mallet. Thinking, thinking... any ideas

marshy · Post by **marshy** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:14 pm

i know you have probably checked , but make sure all the 12 mm bolts are out, as they tend to hide at the angle you are looking with engine in car. A couple of small flat blades, careful not to damage the soft alloy.Good luck

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:23 pm

Yeah, checked that, got all eight of the 12mm head M8 bolts out and thats it I think. I have just remembered the dowels too, so it needs to come off in only one direction.

Thinking to fit cam sprocket to turn cam to use valve springs to push against it for alittle assistance
<<edit>> this idea did nothing - that silicone had a good grip

Battlewagon · Post by **Battlewagon** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:25 pm

Are you sure you've pulled all the bolts? I've been known to miss one on occasion...If you have, then it might be time to try a little heat....

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:02 pm

yep, all eight bolts, two at the top on the outside of the casing, two on the inside, down below, two on the outside, two on the inside.

Had a real good look with lights.

And Marshy, I used your tip - as much as I hate to abuse things - one of those cheapy flat blades and a good tap or three at the front right on the join at the top and HEY PRESTO.

I have seen alloy break under too much of this

And you know it was a toss up... try the abuse of both tool and machine eg "you &^$# son-a-fabich" was thinking it AIN'T gonna beat me , even if it means engine OUT

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:30 pm

If you are really sure all the fasteners are out of things like that a nylon faced mallet can be good to jar things free without marking or damaging anything .

It never hurts to give dowels a light smear of grease for next time too .

Cheers A .

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:10 pm

I am considering filing a wedged notch in cam box just where I got leverage with the flat bladed screwdriver - so next time I will have a starting pont to jam something between the two components. The tight fit of the two mating parts and the grip the silicone had ......

I had two different rubber mallets and stuff all room to swing. Luckily the dowels were clean from only 7000kms since the heads were done.

Might just buy a plastic nylon mallet next time I see one, ta.