So it looks at first glance to be 11mm, on second thought maybe a 7/16" - but either way, the bolt will strip. one of them is already messed up, and every time I strip a bolt I feel like I get -10 points in life, I hate it.

Chiltons' says these are only torqued to 27 ft/lbs + 1/4turn. Then why are these giving me so much difficulty? Luckily, this is on the junk block (just seeing what bearings gave way). But I also would like to take the caps off the new block to plastiguage my worries away(b/c I don't know if I trust the guy I bought it from)

I'm going to end up dropping in the new block and hoping for the best.

I know that it is an odd sized socket.

Mechanic said something like 10.4mm. Something most people wouldn't have in a garage.

I use a deep 6 point 11mm. I don't use air to loosen it though and I make sure that I keep pressure toward the rod. It does strip out kinda easy, but I have had no problem since using this method.