Thread: Head bolt dilemma....

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I think this has to be a fairly common situation, but I have only seen it a couple times. I have a 406 sbc, Dart block / heads. I picked it up fairly reasonable,and am dis assembling it, as it has some bearing problems, want to determine what can be re used. Here's the problem.....the head studs....the center ones...you can't get a 5/8 socket on them, due to the valve springs being too close. I had this on another motor, but was able to use a 5/8 12 point socket, which I ground down to get more room. This one....no chance. I can't believe that I will have to remove those 2 valve springs to get the head off. Any solutions? Thanks

Put an Allen head bolt in that hole. Or find a really long nut that'll reach up past the springs. Or a longer stud with a spacer. Just a few ideas for next time, this time it looks like you are stuck with the problem. Find the thinnest socket you can, and ram it in there, the springs will give a little bit. After all, someone got a wrench in there to put it together!

Exactly what I was thinking.....I just hate to take a 5 lb. hammer to force the socket in there. I know the springs will move a little, but it's definitely going to be tough getting a socket in there. I've tried, but again...maybe I should just go ahead and remove the valve springs, but when re assembling, go with an allen head, or something for the furure. Thanks.

If you put a length of cotton rope into the plug hole, and raise the piston up on it, that will hold the valves in place when you take the springs off.

What brand of sockets are you using? I remember having this problem in the past with el cheapo stuff like the late model Craftsman sockets. As I remember (an the memory may be faded), I used a Snap On socket and it went on with a tad of help......

Before you go to the extreme of popping the retainers, measure your socket and compare it to a Snap On.....you should be able to borrow one from the Snap On dealer to measure....a single socket from him should be in the price range of $250 or so unless there has been another price increase!

mike in tucson

And in addition, use a high quality 3/8 drive socket..........should be thinner walled than a 1/2, but with an adapter you can still use your 1/2 breaker bar.

Don

I found a thinner wall socket....not by much. I was using an older Craftsman. I was able to tap a couple of small screw drivers between the valve spring and the bottom of the nut, so I could pound the socket on, just grabbing at the very top. It did work, though. What a pain in the a$$! Thanks for the suggestions....I really wasn't thrilled with the idea of pulling the valve springs off.