Trying to remove the overhead cam 8 mm hex bolts of a 380 sl, the top row will not budge, bolts hex are starting to loose edges. Any ideas on how to get this monsters off? May have to remove the fuel injector rail and the intake in order to approach them from the side with a vise grip, but rather not.

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Thanks, Juan

theres always a solution to pesky nuts & bolts..
Are they allen head or regular 6pt?

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1992 300TE 4matic - Just obtained 12/22/06
1983 300D - SOLD
1997 Dodge 2500 - CTD 400+HP, 1100ft/lbs torque

make sure the allen is seated-

I'd hit my allen socket with a hammer(assuming it is clean). Hiting it quite hard will help break the set. Not a continuious beating of frustration- just one solid hit of "judicious force". You need to make sure your not twisting it out. You need to hold the racket at the pivot and at the handle. I've always heard pucking the socket up with valve grinding compound helps.
Use a high-quality allen socket. Absolute best would be to use a stahlwille.

And make sure you use new ones when reassembling!
If you strip a 6 point allen, you can ussually beat a 12 pointed star into it for removal.

Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

I had a problem with some allen head bolts recently and went to sears and bought a bolt remover set that they sell.
I can't remember what they call it but it fits on the outside of the bolt head and as you loosen the bolt it tightens itself on the outside of the head. Worked really well.
This was the head bolts on my 300se and it took quite alot of force to loosen them and it stood up quite well and were'nt expensive.

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“Fundamentally, sustainable development is a notion of discipline. It means humanity must ensure that meeting present needs does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”--- Gro Harlem Brundtland


1989 300se 250,000
1983 BMW 528e 100,000
1999 Olds Alero 80,000

These pretzels are making me thirsty.

Thanks guys, went to Sears and bought a rotohammer but it failed to loosen them up, now I have a hex bolt that is no longer a 8mm, rounded off inside.

Does the bolt remover jeffoc mentioned works on hex bolts, they are smooth on the outside, I can't imagine a tool that works in such a way. Let me know what the tool is called if you remember.

I may have to try the 12 point star hammering to fit approach that samiam4 mentioned. I was thinking about hammering a 9mm hex but that is pretty impossible.

Thanks

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Thanks, Juan

You just get the right size bolt out and tap it over the round allen head and remove. You might consider using an impact to loosen it.

Bought the set but once you set the tool over the bolt there is no room for the wrench to turn the tool. Very tight fit around the pedestals holding down the overhead cam

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Thanks, Juan

Drill the head of the socket bolt off.


.

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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

try a good penetrant like PB Blaster or Kroil, let is soak in for a while.

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2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car

Can you get to it with a socket? If you have to you can use an extension on it.

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“Fundamentally, sustainable development is a notion of discipline. It means humanity must ensure that meeting present needs does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”--- Gro Harlem Brundtland


1989 300se 250,000
1983 BMW 528e 100,000
1999 Olds Alero 80,000

These pretzels are making me thirsty.

Thanks for the great response to my hex bolt removal question, I was able to use the Crafstman Bolt Out impact type that has a center 3/8" drive set up instead of a wrench, it was the difference due to clearance limit.
Great suggestion.
Now that the camshaft is out I need to keep the valves up against the head in order to keep them from falling once I try to remove the keeper from the top side witout removing the head, I have a spring compressor.
How much air pressure do I need to inject into the cylinder and does it have to be constant or can I pressure it up with a electric bicycle tire compressor and leave it hooked up at about 95 psi.
I could purchase a small air compressor if needed fom sears or so.
Need your pro advise.

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Thanks, Juan