Oil filter cover on '78 400/4

[MauriceSanders]

Hi everyone

Just acquired a lovely 1978 400/4 in Parakeet yellow. Its lovely. What's not so lovely is the bolt that holds the oil filter cover on. Its totally butchered and stuck (probably related). At first I thought it was corrosion holding it fast but after liberal use of WD40 I'm starting to think its something else. There are signs of overspraying on part of the lower frame so it could be that the sump including the cover have been sprayed with silver paint and is this that's holding the bolt.

Is this possible and what are the options? Could I use heat to try to free it or is this likely to be too risky. I am always nervous with a new bike until I've changed the oil and filter so any help would be appreciated. By the way, I've already got a replacement bolt with the big head and I've picked up a spare cover on ebay just in case.  Some people say I'm a pessimist by nature!

It would be nice to hear members' ideas on this. Many thanks

Maurice

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Maurice.
In all my years its due to bozos overtightening or cross threading them and then as the rain is flicked up on them by the front wheel the bolt slowly seizes up in the filter bowl.I have never been defeated by this lots of banging wd ing and last restort welding a slightly smaller socket on it.Best of luck and be patient.Post a Pic.
Cheers
Bitsa

[Patrickjamesl]

Having woes with this as well ): The part of the bolt that interfaces with the spanner decided to depart the rest of the bolt, so I'm left with a flange and otherwise intact bolt still in the bike.

Let us know how you get on Maurice!

[ashewan]

HI,
Had the same problem on my 75 400/4 rebuild. Tacking a nut onto it is a good idea if you have the gear.
I didn't but I did have a set of screw extractors and got the bolt out that way.
Andrew

[tom400f]

Hi Andrew

What's a screw extractor? I'm assuming you don't mean what we used to call "easy-outs"? Left-hand threaded conical things?

[ashewan]

Tom,
Its an easy out!
Andrew

[Bryanj]

If you don't have the kit to weld a nut on you will have to cur off the remaining flange and proably sacrifice the filter housing but all the fours are the same so a used one should not be hard to find, New bolt from dave Silver nad make sure the spring and steel washer still exist inside

[PatM]

Honestly, get someone with a mig set to weld a nut on- it will come off, then you can repent at leisure and fit a new bolt..