Rocker Cover Bolts

[Graham_R]

Hi Guys, I'm sure this is an old chestnut but can you put me out of my misery.

I've got a small bleed from a rocker cover gasket and would like to nip up the offending bolt, but I can't find anything to fit it. The car's a '96 400 HC Chim. The bolts look almost like reverse splines, ie. circular but with about 20 small points on the out side.

What's the name of this style of bolt and where can I get a socket to fit it?

Any clues or lines of enquiery gratefully received. Or is it a phone call to TVR?

Many thanks

Graham

[shpub]

Sure it ain't got an allen key/torx inset which takes an allen key or torx bit?

If it isn't, maybe someone changed it. It is surprising what owners change cos they look cool

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[Graham_R]

Unfortunately not, I've got Splines and Allen Sockets. []

I'm guessing this isn't TVR's way of stopping me changing my Rocker Gasket then. I'd be very surprised if the previous owner changed them, he did Bugger all else on the car.

To be honest the bolt heads look like a poor design, the 'Spikes' on the outside of the bolt are very small and probably wouldn't allow you to tighten them very well.

Does anybody know of a Fastner web site I can visit and try and itentify them?

Thanks for your help

Graham

[craigalsop]

quote:
I've got a small bleed from a rocker cover gasket and would like to nip up the offending bolt, but I can't find anything to fit it. The car's a '96 400 HC Chim. The bolts look almost like reverse splines, ie. circular but with about 20 small points on the out side.

What's the name of this style of bolt and where can I get a socket to fit it?

Isn't it a 12 point bolt? - a 12 point socket should fit it, or maybe a ring spanner too...
At least that's what mine looks like - it's not on just TVR - should be on any recent rover V8.
cheers,
Craig

[Graham_R]

Craig: I've just counted the points and there are 12 but I can't get a Socket to fit. Maybe 8 1/2 mm might fit [].

Maybe I just need a better socket set.

BTW there are no Flats just points, does this sound right. The "Flats" are concave.

Thanks for your time

Graham

[craigalsop]

quote:
Craig: I've just counted the points and there are 12 but I can't get a Socket to fit. Maybe 8 1/2 mm might fit [].

Maybe I just need a better socket set.

BTW there are no Flats just points, does this sound right. The "Flats" are concave.

Thanks for your time

Graham

Hi Graham,

this sounds right - I would expect it to be an 8 or 10mm socket, although I guess you could try an AF one. Don't force it, whatever you do. By the looks of it you'll need a fairly slim socket to fit there....
Do you have a friendly garage or mechanic you can borrow tools from? (they tend to have better quality equipment)

cheers,
Craig

[Graham_R]

Hi

If anything it's an 8mm, the AF's I've tried don't want to know although they were the closest.

It's in the shop tomorrow so I'll ask if they have anything.

Thanks for your help.

Graham

[tvr_griff_4000]

It's 8mm Bi-Hex. (That's one of those funky and naturally more expensive sockets)

Suggest that you don't tighten it too much as it distorts the gasket which then leaks everywhere.

You could look at replacing with T-bolts.

Richard

[Graham_R]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

At least now I know what I'm looking for. What's wrong with good old fashion Allen bolts.

I'll probably be back next time a problem comes up, why are none of my problems straight forward.

Regards

Graham

[Graham_R]

Hi Again

Just as a quick follow up, I picked up the correct socket at Halfords (Would you Beleive it) today. It's an 8mm deep socket from their Professional range, it has a 3/8 drive and costs £2.79.

The deep socket works better than the nomal because the narrow part of the taper is much longer alllowing you to get right down on hte bolt.

When I check my leaking bolts they were no tighter than hand tight so I've nipped them up lets see if the leak stops.

Many Thanks

Graham