SalvatoreDaniel

New to forum, but not to my '87 928. One quick question: I'm rebuilding the motor, and am having difficulty finding a tool which correctly fits the bolt heads holding the cam caps (top half of cam bearing). They're triple-square, and the closest tool I have is the no. 8 or 8 mm. It fits, but very sloppily, and the next size is too big. I've cleaned all the bolt heads, used the tool and a hammer to tap on the top of the bolts, but I'm beginning to round them out when I try to remove them, without the bolts actually turning. Is there a better tool available, or are these just sacrificial parts?

Thanks,
DS

Jfrahm

There are Lisle brand triple square bits available at my local auto parts store in the tool section. Not the best quality but a lot better than destroying the bolt head with an allen wrench. Better tools are available mail order or from a proper tool dealer.

Be sure to clean out any gunk in the head so the bit fits to the full depth.

-Joel.

the flyin' scotsman

This should answer:

https://rennlist.com/forums/6184607-post13.html

SalvatoreDaniel

Thank you for the quick replies. I have the Hazet XZN Triple Square set, but the closest size is the 8mm, and as stated in my original posting, feels real sloppy. These bolts have never been touched, not damaged, therefore they are not the problem. The next size up is 10mm, and too large. If 8mm is the correct size, or at least the size everyone else uses, I'll go with that.

Thanks,
DS

Rob Edwards

Hmm. On Greg's advice I bought the Hazet 8 mm XZN and it worked perfectly, the fit was spot-on.

Got my socket here:

http://www.samstagsales.com/hazet.htm

FWIW, I found that using my rattle gun set on the lowest setting with about 50 psi worked perfectly without rounding any off. Did it this way on disassembling the GTS heads and had them apart easily and quickly.

fraggle

I gave each on a whack with a hammer using the xzn 8 before starting to loosen them and that all came out easy.

Just finished (I think) my '87 rebuild. Place to watch: cam seals. Ugh. Going to fire it up for the second try today!!


If you need other advice, request away!

Bill Ball

+1 on this technique. Just did it again yesterday with no stripped heads or other removal problems.

blown 87

I use the very first Snap-On tool I ever bought to get these loose, a hand held impact and have yet to strip one out.
They use a lot of these on VW's also.

Ed Scherer

Can someone share with me how you're getting tools in there on some of those lower bolts? You mention using impact tools on the bolts, but I don't see how the heck you can do that with the engine in the car. I'm even wondering if there's room to turn a socket on the left (driver U.S.) side lower bolt. Only about 4 cm of clearance to the brake booster there.

SeanR

I cut down one of my triple squares and use a 13mm gear wrench on it. Quick snap and it's out.

Ed Scherer

Good deal, Sean. I picked up a decent-quality (probably not as good as the Hazat ones that GregBBRD recommends, but at least I could get it locally right away) 1/2-inch socket drive impact XZN-8 (too long for the lower bolts, though) and a too-cheap-to-be-good Lisle half inch hex drive XZN-8 bit. Cut the latter one down quite a bit, and sure enough, coupled with a 13 mm open end wrench, got the "tight clearance bolt" (lowest one on left side) loose. Now I'm pretty sure the rest will be easy. I was just nervous about stripping it out, based on other people's experiences.

So... anti-seize when they go back in, or not?

Thanks for the tip.