[nutt]

First off ordered Comp Cams instaler kit from Summit.

I followed the directions to a "T" and was about a 1/4 away from having it all the way on. suddenly heard a crack and then a pop only to see the bolt, bushing and nut go flying backwards about 10 feet! Thankfully i wasnt in the path of flight! Worse yet my face was nowhere near it when it happened. I was just down there taking a peek to see how it was going, well about 3 more turns on the bolt and BOOM it went flying off!

Loking at my crank i notices the end of the threads had basically snapped off in my crank!! After numerous cussing and walking around i settled down to get a closer look. Luckily there was a small tab sticking out on one side. I got a punch and gently tapped it. It didnt budge. So here i am getting ready to drill it out and get my easy-outs in to use. I got out my center punch and whacked a few times. Well it moved! So i tapped it at an angle and it eventually came right out. WHEW!!

Has anyone ever used Comp Cams tools? I figured it would be a reputable tool. Maybe i just got a defected part. I called Summit and they are sending me another kit out and picking up my old one.

Im kinda hesitant to re-use this kit. I followed directions but im wondering if maybe they are written wrong?? Its the kit with all the adapters for different cranks. I scrwed it into my crank till it stopped then put on thier small bushing nut and screwed the bigger bolt on till it stopped up against this bushing nut. I dont know of any other way to do it.

Any tips? Like i said i need to go about 1/4 inch more for it to be on all the way. If i remember ill take some pics if you guys want when i get home later.

On a side note i also got a Pro-Form crank socket, the kind where you can attatch a degree wheel. Well the set screw stripped out on the first time i went to tighten it. One of the pins fell out and now it wobbles all over heck.

Man im a bit dissapointed. I never had a problem with tools i ordered from Summit. Esp name brand stuff. Well they are replacing that one as well. But I upgraded to the mildon one which is steel not aluminum. Im wondring if i shouldnt have went with a different installer brand as well.

 

[Pete 67]

Sounds like it's a typical Chinese special. :sad: Forget using another of of the same, I would be looking for a refund & someone who can lend you an American made version.

 

[nutt]

Thats what im thinking. I should have just ordered the Summit one. The way it written up sounds like its made of good stuff. The thing is i already have a puller so didnt want the whole kit. Just the installer. Probably to late to call and have a different one sent out but im gonna try.

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

I have had the true Snap On built in Milwaukee version for well over 20 years and have installed many tough ones without issue.

 

[nutt]

Well was able to cancel it before it shipped. I went ahead and got the Summit version, which is the only version they have that states its made from heat treated 4140 chromoly studs. So hopefully ill be good to go.

Yea prob should have ordered something like a snap-on version. But i dont use them very much if at all. When this one goes on it maybe years before i need it again. Prob should have just borrowed or rented one. but i cant see paying $35 bucks for a tool im going to use once and have to return. Id rather buy one and have it for whenever i need it!!

 

[BillK]

Nutt,
Big Block ??? If it is, that is pretty typical. No matter what anyone says, I keep two extra 1/2" inserts for my Snap On tool because they will break. Put some grease or anti seize on the damper id also. If it is a new damper, dont be surprised if it needs to be honed to fith the crankshaft correctly.

 

[nutt]

Nutt,
Big Block ??? If it is, that is pretty typical. No matter what anyone says, I keep two extra 1/2" inserts for my Snap On tool because they will break. Put some grease or anti seize on the damper id also. If it is a new damper, dont be surprised if it needs to be honed to fith the crankshaft correctly.

Yea Bill its a Mark VI 502 BB. No its the same damper that came off. I did put grease on the bushing and sprayed the crank and balancer with WD-40 after cleaning realy good.

But thnx for the tips. So I guess it wasnt a defective part then huh? Just blew my mind that it broke ont he first use. But it was the first time it was off the motor. This motor was never ran in my car yet. Was just doing a cam swap and spring upgrades.

 

[66 chevelle 496BBC]

alot of the new dampers need to be honed as said. my new balancer and crank just made it on the accepted clearance tolerace listed with the new balancer. i borrow one from advance or auto zone for free. i ruined the last one a 496 motor but it got the job done and i told them it's cooked and still got a full refund on the deposit. just get your money back comp sells chineese scrap. i would not buy anymore comp cams stuff there guideplates were 1/2 inch out of spec.

jim

 

[oktunes]

I wouldn't blame the install tool. They can be difficult with any tool and there are post afters post on here of the same story. Slight hone, maybe, grease, definitely, heat in the over is what I have done. Heat it to 150 and quikly try installing. Just be sure you have oven mitts to hold it with or even someone else to help.

 

[Schurkey]

First off ordered Comp Cams instaler kit from Summit.

Yup. Me too.

Loking at my crank i notices the end of the threads had basically snapped off in my crank!! After numerous cussing and walking around i settled down to get a closer look. Luckily there was a small tab sticking out on one side. I got a punch and gently tapped it. It didnt budge. So here i am getting ready to drill it out and get my easy-outs in to use. I got out my center punch and whacked a few times. Well it moved! So i tapped it at an angle and it eventually came right out. WHEW!!

Has anyone ever used Comp Cams tools? I figured it would be a reputable tool.

Yup. Me too.

Called Comp Cams, they were "kind" enough to SELL me a new threaded adapter for ~$7, and then tacked another $7 on for "shipping".

Maybe i just got a defected part.

No, they're just under-engineered.

I called Summit and they are sending me another kit out and picking up my old one.

Wish I'd thought of that.

 

[PCB67SS]

Well another :thumbsup: for Summit......They really do try to keep their customers happy, whatever it takes....:yes:
Nutt hopefully you'll get better service from your new tool, but in my book you bought it from the right company......:beers:

 

[Tom Mobley]

I loaned my Moroso tool to a guy working on his BB, he broke it off where the adaptor gizmo screws into the main shank of the tool. It broke the main shank, not the adaptor. I'd go with what Bill said. have it honed to proper press fit. I think it's 1.5 thou.

 

[69-CHVL]

Yea Bill its a Mark VI 502 BB. No its the same damper that came off. I did put grease on the bushing and sprayed the crank and balancer with WD-40 after cleaning realy good.

But thnx for the tips. So I guess it wasnt a defective part then huh? Just blew my mind that it broke ont he first use. But it was the first time it was off the motor. This motor was never ran in my car yet. Was just doing a cam swap and spring upgrades.

I had the stock balancer from my 502 on/off several times, came off and went back on pretty easily. Wonder if there was a burr or something on either the crank, key, or damper???

 

[Tod74]

MY fluidamper went on with no problems but this engine I used an ATI Superdamper and man was it a PITA...I had to hone it to fit and not just a quick hone either.....I eventually got it on....by the way My instal tool is home made in a lathe and is just mild steel and has not been heat treated...never broke it.

 

[nutt]

I wouldn't blame the install tool. They can be difficult with any tool and there are post afters post on here of the same story. Slight hone, maybe, grease, definitely, heat in the over is what I have done. Heat it to 150 and quikly try installing. Just be sure you have oven mitts to hold it with or even someone else to help.

Wouldnt this possibly damage the seal?

I think the tool was a piece of crap. Im about a 1/4 from it being on all the way. Isnt the last 1/4 the toughest? It came right off with the puller no probs. I think the tools i got comming ill be fine. I just think the comp cams tool was garbage like the guy above stated.

 

[nutt]

I had the stock balancer from my 502 on/off several times, came off and went back on pretty easily. Wonder if there was a burr or something on either the crank, key, or damper???

The thing is it was going on well. No probs wasnt really even struggling to turn the nut. There was some pressure sure, but i was taking my time and making sure there was nothing wrong. The tool was just a cheap part.

 

[nutt]

Yup. Me too.


Yup. Me too.

Called Comp Cams, they were "kind" enough to SELL me a new threaded adapter for ~$7, and then tacked another $7 on for "shipping".


No, they're just under-engineered.


Wish I'd thought of that.

Interesting, wish I knew about this before i talked with them. Theres obviously a problem with the Compo Cams tools. I actually spoke with the guy that heads the de[artment for returned parts that are defective. He said there really isnt a problem with these. So dont know if he was blowing smoke or what.

In any event im feeling alot better about switching brands.

 

[nutt]

Well another :thumbsup: for Summit......They really do try to keep their customers happy, whatever it takes....:yes:
Nutt hopefully you'll get better service from your new tool, but in my book you bought it from the right company......:beers:

I agree and thnx. Summit is pretty good about stuff like this from what i read. This was my first negative expierence but they took care of it. Thats all i could ask for.

 

[novaderrik]

Wouldnt this possibly damage the seal?

I think the tool was a piece of crap. Im about a 1/4 from it being on all the way. Isnt the last 1/4 the toughest? It came right off with the puller no probs. I think the tools i got comming ill be fine. I just think the comp cams tool was garbage like the guy above stated.

i cook my bowling ball at 170 degrees every few months to get the grease and oils out of it, i don't think that kind of heat will hurt an engine oil seal..
the oil that splashes on the seal when the engine's running is generally 50-100 degrees hotter than that, and maybe even hotter since it's coming right off the crank..

 

[nutt]

i cook my bowling ball at 170 degrees every few months to get the grease and oils out of it, i don't think that kind of heat will hurt an engine oil seal..
the oil that splashes on the seal when the engine's running is generally 50-100 degrees hotter than that, and maybe even hotter since it's coming right off the crank..

Hmm just curious do you take out your rubber grips when you do that? Im being serious im a bowler and never heard anyone doing that!! LOL

Well like i said its almost on gonna hook up the new tool when it gets here and go at it. If it feels like its really hard ill stop, pull it back off and try the heating. i dont see it as a problem though.

I really think it was just a piece of crap tool. If you read the other posts a guy bought the same tool same end result. So im thinking thats the problem. Had it never been on before then i would definately consider getting it checked for clearance issues. but it came right off no problems, i checked for burs or anything else. so im pretty confident it was just a cheap tool.

Come to think of it i watched a YouTube video of a guy putting one on and he was working a lot more then i was getting his on.