samneric Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 Hi All, I have been working on my girlfriend's Loyale and changed the camshaft cover gaskets because they were leaking oil. Problem is.... When tightening the bolts, I mis-read the inch pounds and used foot pounds instead . The consequence of this is that one bolt is now stripped (it spins either way) and another one quite simply snapped off leaving the thread in the camshaft housing. "Oh crap" says I, as a scary realisation dawned on me. Now I figure I need to pull off the camshaft housing and replace it following my little "mis-hap". My questions are thus: 1) Is there a way of pulling the remaining bolt thread out of the camshaft housing? 2) Can I re-thread the stripped hole in the camshaft housing? 3) If I need to replace the camshaft housing, where is the best place to get one? 4) Can I buy a torque wrench that goes down to 35-50 inch-pounds? 5) When disconecting the A/C Compressor to take of timing belts, do I need to discharge the system first and who can do that the cheapest? Thats it folks!, I sure would appreciate any help people can offer in my hour of need. Steve P.S. I 'm not sure what the engine type is, but it is an 1800 with 4wd. Wagon chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaSkeet Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 ea82 engine. thats all i know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingbobdole Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 Wow, You learned something didn't you? Don't you hate it when that happens? Anyway, all kidding aside, that really stinks. To answer your questions in order, kinda. 1) Is there a way of pulling the remaining bolt thread out of the camshaft housing? 1. This depends on if its sticking out or not there are 2 things you can do. If its flush, or sticking out, thats easy. get a dremel with a cut off disc and grind a slot in the bolt. Then simply use a screw driver to pull the screw out. If its in a little ways you will have to get an easy out. Basically its a reverse threaded tap and screw. you drill a hole in the center of the bolt, tap that hole reversely, then tighten the reversed screw into it and that loosens the screw you screwed it into. 2) Can I re-thread the stripped hole in the camshaft housing? 2. This rethreading depends on how bad you stripped it. Once I also learned something, don't pull the plugs on a hot aluminum motor. anyway I really didn't strip them, just cross threaded them a little. I chased the threads with a tap and it worked. Yours sounds worse like you worked on it a little. You might have to helicoil it which is fun, and mostly the "right" way. Now if you have a majority of them down and only one needs to be set you can do it the "ghetto" way. clean the hole and rough it up. *puts on armor* Get the bolt clean it, grease it and...... cover it in JB weld *ducks* shove the bolt into the hole with out the cover on. Let the JB weld dry, then carefully remove the bolt. That should leave threads in the hole, but careful tightening it back on then you put the cover back on, don't break it. 3) If I need to replace the camshaft housing, where is the best place to get one? Find a local junk yard, pick and pull types are the cheapest. New ones from ru are a bazillion dollars. 4) Can I buy a torque wrench that goes down to 35-50 inch-pounds? Goto Sears. I've got one thats on a 3/8s drive and I think I got it for this very purpose, or maybe something else head related when I rebuilt mine. 5) When disconecting the A/C Compressor to take of timing belts, do I need to discharge the system first and who can do that the cheapest? Ok, One why are you doing this? You can remove the compressor and move it aside. Two, YES 100% This thing is R-12, but tell me if you do it, I'll get bank from the Gov and you get to pay "SUPER FINE" Tm. I personally wouldn't bother discharging it, removing it, recharging it. It will probably cost you somewhere in the $400-$800 depending on where you do it. Where to do it? Anywhere you can find to do it. Not a lot of shops still work on R-12s due to expense. Well, good luck, have fun and make sure that is clean before you put in the new gasket. clean the cam carrier where it sit and the covers with a nice clean soft cloth. Also watch passing wires, I got one in mine and didn't notice till I got like 3 bolts in. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samneric Posted August 29, 2004 Author Share Posted August 29, 2004 Thanks a lot Phil! Lots of great advice.... I'm off to Sears now with my shopping list Will let you know of progress. Steve P.S. The sad thing is I spent a LONG time and put in great care to clean up the cover and mounting surfaces of the camshaft housing before I put it back together so that compounded my frustration at messing up the bolt tightening Wow, You learned something didn't you?Don't you hate it when that happens? Anyway, all kidding aside, that really stinks. To answer your questions in order, kinda. 1) Is there a way of pulling the remaining bolt thread out of the camshaft housing? 1. This depends on if its sticking out or not there are 2 things you can do. If its flush, or sticking out, thats easy. get a dremel with a cut off disc and grind a slot in the bolt. Then simply use a screw driver to pull the screw out. If its in a little ways you will have to get an easy out. Basically its a reverse threaded tap and screw. you drill a hole in the center of the bolt, tap that hole reversely, then tighten the reversed screw into it and that loosens the screw you screwed it into. 2) Can I re-thread the stripped hole in the camshaft housing? 2. This rethreading depends on how bad you stripped it. Once I also learned something, don't pull the plugs on a hot aluminum motor. anyway I really didn't strip them, just cross threaded them a little. I chased the threads with a tap and it worked. Yours sounds worse like you worked on it a little. You might have to helicoil it which is fun, and mostly the "right" way. Now if you have a majority of them down and only one needs to be set you can do it the "ghetto" way. clean the hole and rough it up. *puts on armor* Get the bolt clean it, grease it and...... cover it in JB weld *ducks* shove the bolt into the hole with out the cover on. Let the JB weld dry, then carefully remove the bolt. That should leave threads in the hole, but careful tightening it back on then you put the cover back on, don't break it. 3) If I need to replace the camshaft housing, where is the best place to get one? Find a local junk yard, pick and pull types are the cheapest. New ones from ru are a bazillion dollars. 4) Can I buy a torque wrench that goes down to 35-50 inch-pounds? Goto Sears. I've got one thats on a 3/8s drive and I think I got it for this very purpose, or maybe something else head related when I rebuilt mine. 5) When disconecting the A/C Compressor to take of timing belts, do I need to discharge the system first and who can do that the cheapest? Ok, One why are you doing this? You can remove the compressor and move it aside. Two, YES 100% This thing is R-12, but tell me if you do it, I'll get bank from the Gov and you get to pay "SUPER FINE" Tm. I personally wouldn't bother discharging it, removing it, recharging it. It will probably cost you somewhere in the $400-$800 depending on where you do it. Where to do it? Anywhere you can find to do it. Not a lot of shops still work on R-12s due to expense. Well, good luck, have fun and make sure that is clean before you put in the new gasket. clean the cam carrier where it sit and the covers with a nice clean soft cloth. Also watch passing wires, I got one in mine and didn't notice till I got like 3 bolts in. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samneric Posted August 30, 2004 Author Share Posted August 30, 2004 Progress report: I have gotten the pesky snapped bolt thread out I had to buy an $170 Close-Quarters drill to get in there with the correct angle . Luckily I had snapped the bolt in the top hole - if it had been in the bottom one I'd have been proper F**cked. The drill-out bits were $40 for 4. For the threaded bolt, I manged to get it out by turning it I bought a re-thread set - $40 (total salvation cost so far $250 ) I re-thread the first few turns of the hole and put the bolt in to do the rest. It seems to go in and get tougher. I bought some lock-tight and didn't know whether to use it or not. I also have some J&B Weld clay waiting in the wings incase I need to do that (if it leaks when I run the engine). I presume you pull the bolt out after 5 mins before it totally sets in there Anyway, I still need to get a new cover bolt and I will call subaru about that tomorrow. If that fails I may treck over to a junk yard and hunt down a subie. Thanks again for the advice, Phil ! Peace to all Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northguy Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 It looks like everything is going to work out OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjdc Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 If you want to just replace the cam and housing, I have a few of them at my shop. You can have one cheap. I stripped out one of my housings and I found it to be cheaper to just replace the cam carrier. Good luck Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 Steve: That's pretty impressive that you were able get those broken studs out in the car. I wouldn't have even attempted that myself, to be honest with you. Glad to hear you stuck with it and are making progress. Once you learn the ropes of finding Sube parts in your area, you'll be set when you have these mishaps (and you will). No need to go to the Dealer for stuff like that. Don't mention the boo boo to the GF - just the fix. Wrenching on Subes and(hopefully) getting laid by a grateful girlfriend...what could be better than that??? good luck, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samneric Posted September 2, 2004 Author Share Posted September 2, 2004 OK, updated status report... My girlfriend has been driving the car for a coupla days now and the oil seal doesn't seem to be leaking Thanks for the advice and, John, my GF *DOES* seem appreciative for the work gone I live in New Orleans and unfortunately there are not so many subies on the roads down here so I fear there will not be a huge selection of rellics in the scrap yards - Definately need to scope them out though, sounds like I could do with replacing the rear drums with discs if I find a donor! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Steve: Parts availablity can be a problem in certain parts of the country. Luckily, you have lots of starving Sube enthusiasts on this Board that can ususally help if you get in a bind. Replacement drums are expensive, so if they cannot be turned, the rear disk swap is the way to go. Oh, another tip for GF relations...Since this worked out so great, you can rig up regular "breakdowns" on her Sube, then impress her with your knowledge and skills by quickly getting her car back on the road!! All kinds of creative "mishaps" you can spring on her... good luck, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86subaru Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 wine and dine her in the subaru , alittle soft music from the radio , a bowl of grapes, some good canjun cooking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samneric Posted September 2, 2004 Author Share Posted September 2, 2004 Get a little blanket thrown in the back, a little Bree, a good Australian Red, a few crackers and a subtle steering towards a job well done, you think!! I reckon I need to start a sticky for my progress reports Steve wine and dine her in the subaru , alittle soft music from the radio , a bowl of grapes, some good canjun cooking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86subaru Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 well just in case that you could not fix your girlfriends car , always worked for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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