tweeder

iTrader: (3)

Any bright ideas on how to get rounded head bolts out? They're the ones under the rocker arms. I'm gonna have to wait till tomorrow and see if I can buy a 12 point 15mm socket.

Mangled03gmc

iTrader: (95)

A 12 point socket will round them off more then they are now, 6 point is the way to go. You could try taking a punch to the head of the bolts, shocking them. Last resort would be welding a nut to the top of them.

tweeder

iTrader: (3)

I didn't know that. The motor is still in the truck so welding is goin to be difficult as they're the ones inside te gead under the rocker arms. I'll try the shocker thingy.

03sierraslt

iTrader: (22)

The factory bolts are 6pt as John mentioned, are we correct in assuming the bolts that are rounded are factory? What type of socket were you using when they were rounded?

tweeder

iTrader: (3)

They are factory bolts but not original as I have replaced the heads with aftermarket. I was using a 6 point with an impact to remove, I had no problem with the first head, mabey I should use an impact socket?

03sierraslt

iTrader: (22)

I would use a standard chrome socket, most impact sockets are not cut to the precise tolerance as a chrome socket is. IMO. I would also remove them by hand and not with a impact.

tweeder

iTrader: (3)

Well I looked at the socket and I was using a 12 point for the rocker studs, put on a 6 point and i'll be damned off it came. I looked at the 15mm and I was using a 6 point but with the rocker arm girdle in the way a bit it wouldn't allow the socket to fully seat and would slip off. So once I got the rockers off and got on the stud properly she came off easily. But I did learn a lesson on 12 point vs 6 point and whats better. But if a 6 point is better, why bother making a 12 point?

chevymec

iTrader: (19)

12 point sockets help in some situations. Never use a 12 point with an impact gun to break a bolt loose.

03sierraslt

iTrader: (22)

12 Points work great on a 12 point nut, but if you have a 6pt bolt then you always want to use a 6pt socket. 12pt bolts are actually better for really high torque as there is more contact area and less chance of them stripping out. Much of the reason you will see allot of aftermarket head bolts and studs come as 12pt.

Atomic

iTrader: (42)

Yep 12pts are good for 12pt nuts which are better, but more expensive then the more common 6bolt nuts. They also work well for inverted torx bolts, like what holds the seats to the body.