Can't remove the connecting rod bolts...HELP

[Guest]

I want to Plastigauge my connecting rod bearing but cannot get the bolts holding the caps on to budge. What harm would it do to give it a couple of taps with an impact wrench?

If the bearings are within specs (.001-.0027) I will just leave well enough alone.

A troubling note in the Bentley manual says, capital letters, USE NEW BOLTS. Is that necessary if I am just gonna put them back together, assuming I don't need to change bearings?

 

[DougF]

I would use a cheater on your ratchet to get a little better leverage. Maybe try your torque wrench, since they are generally longer. I would be leery of using an impact on a built engine.

 

[Guest]

Called Dave at TRF (even though the tech line is not open on Saturdays) and he said go for it. I did and it worked. Bearing were in spec, maybe have another 20K on them I guess, I hope. Dave said the note in the Bentley to use new bolts was probably a CYA for Triumph. He said they don't even use new bolts when they do a rebuild, or was I supposed to say that?

Now, on to dialing in the cam. Hope to get the head on by the Sunday.

 

[TR3driver]

They aren't supposed to be all that tight ... and they are bathed in oil so it's unlikely that rust is the issue ... yet they are so tight that you cannot get them out. And the factory warns that the bolts have to be replaced every time.

Danger, Will Robinson !

 

[martx-5]

I would heed the warning of using new bolts. Those bolts are the 'stretch' type and are not meant to be re-used. The same situation applies to the later TRactor motors. The original bolts used tab washers, and could be re-used, however, the later rods used the stretch type bolts without the tab washers. Everything I have read says NOT to re-use them.

 

[Guest]

I guess my trying initially to get them out with a regular ratchet and long extension gave me pause when they didn't budge. The long extension also has a certain amount of twist and they seemed not to budge, just twist. Used a shorter extension with my Snap-On torque wrench (only Snap-On I can afford).

 

[DrEntropy]

If the bolts were new on last rebuild, one more torque to spec likely won't be a problem. If they're ~originals~ I'd be tempted to agree on replacement. Tensile limits are "funny" and work hardening the bolts by repeatedly adding/subtracting tensile load can make 'em more brittle.