1986 vf500 ... i screwed up

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by fastenough, Jun 22, 2014.

  1. fastenough

    fastenough New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    i over torqued my valve cover bolts, and snapped one.

    i have new bolts, and a new camshaft holder (the cover bolts to the holder) already ordered and coming.

    for the time being, my bike is in a garage, and i have shop towels between the cover and the head. i put the cover back on, and tightened the 3 bolts that i can tighten back down by hand, with shop towels covering the ends of the cam shafts where the gasket would normally go, and the hole for the missing bolt

    do i need to worry too much about moisture or rust forming in there? its not going to get rained on and the most moisture it will encounter is humidity...

    im just being paranoid now that i idioted myself into this situation :/

    thanks
     
  2. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    9,838
    Likes Received:
    743
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Buffalo, NY
    Map
    Next time use a 1/4" drive setup to tighten those bolts, OK ??
     
  3. jethro911

    jethro911 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2006
    Messages:
    1,985
    Likes Received:
    48
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Merrickville, Ontario Canada
    Map
    No you don't need to worry about a little moisture in your engine. It gets condensation inside every time there is a heat/cool cycle anyway and the parts are coated in an oil film for the most part. That condensation evaporates when the engine warms up on your next ride.
     
  4. FMB42

    FMB42 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2014
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    The towels are unnecessary imo (they might even attract moisture). Meanwhile, I'd double check that you have disconnected the battery terminals (accidentally cranking the starter could damage your semi-assembled engine).

    Meanwhile, keep in mind that everyone makes mistakes...
     
  5. nearfreezing

    nearfreezing New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2012
    Messages:
    294
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Worcester, MA
    Map
    No need to worry about moisture. Not sure if those bolts have torque specs, but if they do, good idea to use a torque wrench next time.
     
  6. fastenough

    fastenough New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    i did :(

    i did the math wrong though, torque specs are 6-9FT-LBS, i converted to inch-lbs wrong and snapped it :( my own dumbass mistake.
     
  7. fastenough

    fastenough New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    ya, i thought the same and removed the towels. i put the whole thing back together, with the gasket, just to be safe
     
  8. fastenough

    fastenough New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    does anyone have any experience (or "one of your friends" ;)) with breaking a valve cover bolt?

    i've ordered a new set of bolts, and a set of camshaft holders...
     
  9. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2009
    Messages:
    5,816
    Likes Received:
    2,351
    Trophy Points:
    158
    In every case where I've seen a valve cover bolt broken off in the cam holder, it can be backed out with a dental pick or something similar. Prob seen it more than 10 times.
     
  10. fastenough

    fastenough New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    this is true.

    i managed to work the broken part out with a bunch of lubricant and some picks, it took a lot of coaxing but i finally did it.

    im happy about this because i am re-using the same cam holder, i was worried about slight wear variations in a replacement (used) one.

    i also brought my FT-lbs torque wrench home from work, and checked every bolt with that :)

    i buttoned everything up, tested, and took it for a ride. everything is great.

    when i got back i gave the in-lbs torque wrench the finger.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page