Stuck fan shroud side screws

[George Stimson]

I want to life the fan shroud on my '64 beetle so I can raise it enough to switch a 12 volt alternator for the old 6 volt and the side screws that hold the shroud down aren't budging a millimeter. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get them off? Should I go after them with a metal chisel? Let me know!
Thanks!

[KTPhil]

I'm forgetting (it's been 15 years since I had a Bug), are the captive nuts they screw into in the big shroud, or in the cylinder covers on each side?

I ask because you have a good chance of shearing the heads off. The answer will determine how much in the way of further disassembly you will have to do to resolve it.

I'd use vice-grips on the screw head (love the name "cheese head screws," especially funny for Packer fans). But be careful twist in the right direction, with no "wobble" that can break the head off. Just a smooth circular motion in the plane of the cheese head. I've also tried vice grips on the shaft of a longer screwdriver first. Use the thickest screwdriver blade you can fit so it pushes on the whole of the slot, not just at two points.

[DuaneL]

if you have not already tried I find a socket wrench and bit driver works better on stubborn screws then a screw driver.
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1971 std bug, 1776, ACN Super Stock 34-3, dvda dist, 27x8.50 14 tires

[61SNRF]

They could be rusted in there or stripped out, either way it's extra work. Removing the engine for better access is probably the best way to approach them.

Any case, if they are slotted screws with the slots rounded out, try rapping on their heads to reform the slot and loosen them up a little, then use the right size screwdriver or socket driver.
What KTPhil mentioned, the nuts are captive in the Fan Housing so spray them down with rust resolver first may help too.

There are others ways too, like you don't really need to remove those screws or lift the fan housing to remove the Gen to install an Alt.
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-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[williamM]

big vice grips- works on any thing you can clamp them to

would put 10mm headed bolts in their place
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some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[Longrifle]

Don't forget that a little direct heat from a small propane torch will help to expand the metal too, making it much easier to remove.
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Longrifle

67’ sedan
66’ SO-42

[hitest]

I like penetrating oil- Aerokroil or at least PB blaster- before getting too medieval on it.
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[Cusser]

I like to use hex head screws with a screwdriver slot for those, sometimes can then access with 10mm wrench.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[drscope]

[rusty60]

ok, so being one who did snap 2 off, what is the best method of repair you guys have tried? drill, tap? I did soak for a week, with penetrant to no avail. Looking for best recovery solution when it comes to putting tin back on.

[Eric&Barb]

Best easiest way is to weld a nut to each and cool with water quickly. the sudden expansion and contraction of the materials will crush the rust plating (that is causing it to be a press fit) in there into dust.

Otherwise it is center punch and start with 1/8" drill bit and work up only a size or two in the drill bits till the hole is centered and straight. Hopefully either the screw remains loosen up/turn out, or you get all but the threads removed and work those out with a scribe. If you end off center much you will have to use a hammer and punch (not easy on sheet metal) to crush the remains of the screw and get it out.

Use at least grease or better yet anti-seize on ALL threaded items to avoid this problem in the future.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[drscope]

[rusty60]

Thanks for the options, Will be tackling in near future once headliner and interior are complete. And yes anti seize is my friend! If only the PO used as much as I do!

[George Stimson]

The proper sized screwdriver, a pair of vice grips, and WD-40 did the trick. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[61SNRF]

[notsnarb]