1966Oldsmobile

Hello, yesterday I mounted the rocker arms on my ´66 330cui small block. I mount the bolts with 35 lbs/ft and the bolt broke!!! Ok, could happen I thought, so I tried again with another bolt. This one broke again!!! See picture

My questions are:
- Is 35 lbs/ft to much
- are the original bolts harder than "normal" bolts
- is there are special position when mount the bolts? Valve closed or something?


Thank you very much for your help

Daniel

MDchanic

This is not surprising, as the specified torque is 25 ft/lbs.

Generally, it is better to torque each cylinder with the valves closed, though, personally, I don't think it matters much.

I do not know the hardness of the rocker pivot bolts.

- Eric

1966Oldsmobile

Thank you very much! Will try 25 ft/lbs :-)

MDchanic

All of the torque values are in the Chassis Service Manual, which is available for free from WildAboutCars, though in this case, I suspect you just remembered the number wrong.

Note that the 1966 manual will have an incorrect torque listed for the harmonic balancer bolt - it is actually "160 ft/lb minimum."

Good luck!

- Eric