Injector hold down nut frozen to injector body

[npe3484]

Just like the title says... 4 of the 6 stock injectors (296k on them) have the hold down nuts frozen to the injector bodies. I got 2 of them out but then noticed that the small ball bearing on the injector was totally gone!

:bang

I fished out all the small pieces of torn up ball bearing from the cylinder head using a small pen magnet. Hopefully nothing fell down into the block, but I really can't be sure. The head didn't look like it suffered any damage. The stock injectors definitely won't be re-usable for anyone.

So how do you avoid spinning the whole injector while still being able to remove the hold down nut?

Also, anyone got a Cummins part number for the hold down nuts?

 

[Smokem]

I got a box of them, let me know how many you need.

 

[golfersmith]

I read where one member had the same issue with the body turning in the head and damaged-cracked the head. Might want to inspect closely before the install.

 

[Smokem]

I read where one member had the same issue with the body turning in the head and damaged-cracked the head.

I would love to hear the rational thinking behind this.

It is not uncommon for the bottom gasket to leak over time, causing carbon build-up in the injector bore. I've had a few instances where the head had to be removed and the injector removed with a hammer.

 

[golfersmith]

Very few know less than I for sure. I did read this. Not sure if it could actually happen myself.

 

[npe3484]

I read where one member had the same issue with the body turning in the head and damaged-cracked the head. Might want to inspect closely before the install.

I think I saw that thread while searching for the part number yesterday. Took a little searching but I was able to find it again today:

injector removal - Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together

My worry was that because the injectors were spinning along with the hold down nuts, there would be metal that found it's way down into the cylinder. The small alignment ball (don't know the technical name for it) was totally gone from two injectors and the injector "bore" in the head had some metal particles in it. I fished those out with a pen magnet.

Weston, have you experienced this before? I'd wager that you've done more injector changes than I'd care to try. LOL

A member (BLOWN84) contacted me yesterday evening offering a good set of hold down nuts that he had laying around. Still, I appreciate your offer, and whatever advice you can give.