hey guys. well i just finished installing my new valve stem seals into my z6 del sol. while tightening down the bolts to hold the rocker panel on i heard a pop, then noticed it cracked. now my engine wont turn over, (hand cranked). all the valves open and close untill cylinder ones turn, then it freezes up, wich is the cyinder wich has the crack above it. what did i do wrong?

 

you broke it get a new head

 

Or get a new cam cap if they're removable like on the y8's.

 

as a "WTF DID I DO???" theory
What method did you follow when torquing all bolts that were removed?

 

i used the sequence that was found in my manual, although i didnt use a torque wrench. i think i over tightened the bolts.. i already ordered a new rocker assembly and i will use a torque wrench installing this one but do you think the engine locking up is due to the crack? like, i couldent have bent a valve or anything like that correct?

 

Not from just trying to turn it you're fine, did this rocker assembly you ordered come with the cam cap ?. Yah you defiantly tightened it tooooo much I'm used to seeing the bolt head snap first tho lol.

 

i guess i can call myself lucky then lol. and nope no cap but everything else.

 

so it's just the rocker arms lol why ? you broke the girdle/cap that's what you need. head to a junk yard and try n find a good one that isn't gummed up with burnt oil or just get a new head for 100$ odd.

 

Wait, did you try and start it like that?? If you manually turned it over, that's ... no big deal.
Trying to actually crank and operate... no bueno.

No torque wrench = exactly why this happened.

 

Yeah make sure to torque everything to spec, I used to think it wouldn't make that much of a difference I now know better. Hope you learned as well, plus it could have been worse at least you don't have to replace the entire head.

 

i just manually spun the crank by hand. im not really sure what to call this exactly but this a picture of what will be coming in.

 

rocker arms and girdle.

as for ppl saying cranking with the timing off will bend valves....you do actually know what causes them to bend in the "mechanical sense" right ?. I 've had the timing off by 8+ teeth not knowing trying to crank it on my integra, no loss in compression same with my civic, Can it happen yes....does it happen often NO

 

Is there a "non-mechanical sense" for bending valves? Like a quasi-theoretical sense?

 

most ppl are so quick to say "ohh your timing is off if you try cranking the car etc you will bend your valves". But if you've dealt with the issue first hand and ever had to drive(limp) it home with it off by 6 teeth but still maintained the exact same compression....most cases of bent valves are when it outright snaps or goes off by a large number of teeth.

 

i am a little nervous because i think my timing may have jumped a few teeth while i was doing my seals.. i didnt crank hard at all once it stopped moving, but it wont turn in either direction now.. im guessing i just have to release pressure off the valves due to uneven cam cover surface.. i think ill be okay. oh and does anyone know, while putting the cam cover back on, do i have to set the timing anywhere specific? DTC? my manual dosent mention this.

 

and im new to this forum but thanks everyone for the fast replys!

 

just make sure the block and head are at TDC easy to do/check/ make sure the spark plugs are out, you'll be fighting a lot of compression otherwise.

 

Those cam caps are line bored with the head so you can't just swap another set over, sometimes that will work (it always will in the short term) but you'll end up with some weird cam wear. Ideally take the head and the caps to a machine shop and have it line bored. If you're not willing to pull the head only swap the cap you broke.