Hi all, been busy lately. I have what might be a big problem, the main harness on top of the drivers side valve cover I can't get undone, the bolt holding it together is stripped or the nut who knows? wondering if there is any way to take it apart otherwise.
As always any help is appriciated. Later, Bill

 

Hey bill, the bolt does not come completely out. After you loosen it up it will just sit in the saddle. Then there are some plastics clips holding the 42 pin connector in place.

 

Yes I realize that, it is stripped and I cannot get it apart..

 

I've never run into this before. If I were there, I'd get a flat blade on the sides to see if I could carefully coax them apart. Do you have any contact cleaner? That stuff penetrates pretty good and might loosen something up.

 

That's a problem-at least it will do until one arrives anyway.

With stripped nuts and the like, it's either turn the bolt while pulling apart hard in hopes some sort of remaining thread will engage and allow the two halves to separate or just overcome the stripped threads with force.

 

Yes as of now I have no need to remove that valve cover, but it's one of those things , like a thorn -in-the-side type of thing.

 

Sorry Bill, I know u know your way around the 7.3L, I was hoping it was an oversight/simple fix.

In addition to what was mentioned above, I wonder how difficult it would be to drill through the bolt.

 

Would a pair of needle nose vise grips fit in there? That is what I would try.

 

It would have to be the bolt head, it's the only thing visible. Then it would be a trick to get enough pressure for the bit to cut.

 

The bolt is locked into the loose plug, removing the head just removes the head and leaves the bolt shank in there. The bolt won't come out until the connector is separated and you can then push it through the connector face.

 

I have a pair of fencing pliers like these with the Craftsman name on them and I find them as useful as I do my welding tip cleaning files and dental pick. Mine have a full 1/2" or so flat jaw all the way across the tip and these things will hold onto a bolt shaft with a single thread remaining out of anyplace it is stuck. They are also flat on the side and that hole there has teeth for gripping said bolt with almost nothing left sticking out of casting. I would get these out, grab that bolt head and pull while turning while another set of hands pried gently on the plastic block as Tugly has recommended.

 

This will have to wait until I can give it more time. Thanks all for the ideas.