Topic: crankcase cover removal

[TomL]

I'm trying to remove the crankcase cover on the left side of a 350f.  The PO overtightened and stipped the heads of the screws that hold the cover on.  I broke a stripped screw remover off in the screw.  Anyone have ideas on how to remove the cover now.  I cut the heads off of the top two screws hoping that if I can remove the heads on all 4 I can slide it off of the damaged screws.  Then I can deal with the broken screws.  The bottom 2 are going to be a pain though because 1 is right next to the frame.  No cut off wheel there.  Is a drill my only other option?  Help!!

[Sweep]

Drill em out.  It's not a very big deal, when you drill out the screw heads the screw come right out.  Next time and with the rest of them use and impact driver.  Just make sure the drill bit is around the same size as the screw hole.

[Jamil20]

I would at least try to hammer a flathead screwdriver at an angle before trying to drill. Cut a notch if you need to with a rotary tool. That's how I got most of my stripped screws out.

[andy8190]

i have this exact same problem on mine right now, i got an impact driver from harbor freight but the bits broke so i am gonna go buy a nicer one from sears tomorrow after work and if that doesnt work i dont know, anyone have any luck with some kind of stripped screw removal kits (like for a drill bit or something)?

[Jamil20]

I tried one of the stripped screw remover, and all it did was make a nice crater on all the screw caps. These screws have some loctite on them, and you need to break them with sufficient torque. Hammer and flat screwdriver does the trick. Angle your screwdriver so that if it's struck by a hammer, it'll turn the screw. Cut a notch if you need something for the screwdriver to bite on. Once the bond is broken, you'll be amazed at how easy they come out.

[andy8190]

i decided to go to sears real fast and buy their impact driver and got home, hit the screws about 5 times and they came loose. i suggest this. On a quick side note where can you buy that anti lock stuff?

[JLeather]

Best thing for screws with completely stripped heads are left-handed drill bits.  Start drilling, and sometimes the screw comes out and other times you keep drilling til the head is gone and then it's not a problem anymore.  Yeah, an impact screwdriver is an absolute must-have for working on these engines.