Grrrr. I went to torque my valve cover (or rocker arm cover) going by Haynes torque specs of 28 inch pounds because it has a slow gradual leak. I was only doing this in the meantime before going and getting a new Fel Pro gasket (I've read good things) and when doing so, snapped a bolt. I've read around and seen that this is a common problem. I now can't get the broken end out (see picture below). I've gone to town with needle nose pliers trying to grab it and turn it with no luck. How else can I get this out? Also, what is the correct torque for a valve (or rocker arm) cover with a Fel Pro gasket? And how long are the bolts supposed to be?

 

Most hardware stores will have a tool to extract a broken bolt. It will require drilling a hole ACAP to center of the broken bolt, insert the tool, and twist it out. You might want to check your toque wrench as 28in/lb wouldn't be enough to snap a bolt (unless maybe if it's aluminum).

I think my shop manual said the final torque should be around 80in/lbs (or 6-7ft/lbs). Is it possible that you were torquing to 28 ft/lbs?

 

I had the torque wrench set right above the 2 pound mark. I just bought this wrench and this was the first time I used but maybe the calibration is off, I'm not sure. I'll have to go to a hardware store then. Thanks!

 

take a small punch with a sharp point and tap on the outer sides of the bolt where its broken might start spining back out