7.3 bottom IP bolt

ISPKI

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Hey all. I finally made a wrench that could get to that bottom bolt on the IP head to adjust my timing. When I went to loosen it, it was not tight. Went and loosened the other two bolts, adjusted my timing about 1/16" towards passenger side (was at 4.0 BTDC, now at 9.2 BTDC). I pinned the IP in place with a wood block and a wedge between the side of the IP housing and a driver side head bolt head while I tightened the three bolts back down.

My concern is with that bottom bolt. I have turned it a good 2.5 full turns trying to tighten it. I certainly didnt loosen it that much which means its either broken internally or someone before me had loosened the hell out of it and it seems like it isnt tightening up. Is it possible for one of those to break off? It isnt real loose, theres alot of resistance to it, feels like its just shy of being tight but just didnt want to get there yet. The other two bolts socked down good and tight.
 

DaveBen

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I doubt it. The bottom bolt is so hard to get to. And you can't get a wrench big enough to break the bolt.
 

chillman88

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One of the nuts on my IP was missing a washer. When you were "tightening" it you were really just driving the nut into the ovaled hole. Might want to see if you have a similar problem.

Or maybe whoever put it on got it on crooked and it's cross threaded and that's why there's resistance? Maybe the threads are just messed up?

Are you able to see it at all?

I don't know how these are setup honestly, never really looked too close. I've had my IP off so I know what everything looks like, but I assume they're studs threaded into the housing. Maybe there's another issue entirely? Maybe somehow the stud is partially stripped?

If it's the nut on the passenger side I'd just pull off the high idle solenoid to get better access and take a look. Maybe even completely remove that nut to see what the threads look like.
 

Brian VT

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I don't have any advice but I will note that the 2 lower nuts on my IP were only hand tight when I went to replace it. I guess the previous owner figured that would have to be good enough rather than figure out how to get wrenches on them. lol
 

jwsfarrier

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They are in fact studs threaded into the housing. After replacing my IP i discovered the stud had stripped out of the housing and would tighten up enough that I thought it was fine. I only found it when I was chasing an oil leak around the IP. Drove me nuts! Swapped out the IP housing, problem solved. Looking back I probably could have just replaced the stud but I had a spare housing so I went with that. If swapping out the IP housing remember it is super important to orient the IP drive gear properly with the camshaft gear.
 

ISPKI

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Yeah I can hardly see it but when I get some feeling in my fingers I think I can feel the nut turning and not the stud. Doesnt help that I can only turn it 1/16th of a turn at a time.

I'll keep snugging it down and see how it goes. Anyone have an idea on a torque spec for these?
 

Jesus Freak

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Yeah I can hardly see it but when I get some feeling in my fingers I think I can feel the nut turning and not the stud. Doesnt help that I can only turn it 1/16th of a turn at a time.

I'll keep snugging it down and see how it goes. Anyone have an idea on a torque spec for these?
Just forget torquing the bottom bolt.
 

ISPKI

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Seriously, do you expect to get a torque wrench on that? I think this is one of those instances where you simply snug it down, plus just a hair, and call it good.
Yeah I have no clue how I would ever get a torque wrench on there. Maybe a crows foot using a 1/4" torque wrench? I was just curious to see what the recommended value was so I could guesstimate where I am with it.
 

Jesus Freak

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Yeah I have no clue how I would ever get a torque wrench on there. Maybe a crows foot using a 1/4" torque wrench? I was just curious to see what the recommended value was so I could guesstimate where I am with it.
Technically, I don't think a crows foot would even torque accurately. I'd do hand tight and 3 strong grunts, and then go sit down and read a book or anything to let blood get back in your hand.
 
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