Question about head install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
Question about head install
Installed rebuilt AL heads on my freshened block and after torqueing the bolts, went back over all bolts and one bolt (the first one torqued) was not at 60 fl lbs. Turned more, but did not seem to tighten. Bolts are new ARP.
The question, should all bolts be loosened, removed and if so, do I need to replace the head gasket.
I'm hoping that maybe I have a bad bolt and that it's not pulling threads from the block. If it is a block issue, can the cast iron be helicoiled?
Thanks.
Joe
The question, should all bolts be loosened, removed and if so, do I need to replace the head gasket.
I'm hoping that maybe I have a bad bolt and that it's not pulling threads from the block. If it is a block issue, can the cast iron be helicoiled?
Thanks.
Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 1
From: Geneseo Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06
do you think a slightly longer bolt might help? Could be the new heads are slightly different... I do know that when i put the Accel intake manifold (for Superram) on my car, the engine builder told me that stock intake bolts were not long enough due to the extra thickness of the intake and longer ones were needed to get more bite.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
These are the original heads and the other side was okay. This is the center bolt in the middle row, one of the longest ones. Also the first to get torqued as per the specified sequence.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Pull the bolt back out and see if there is any material stuck between the threads. If there is then you can fix the block with a helicoil just fine. I always run a tap through all the bolt holes in a block to clean them so they torque easily. Could it be there is some rust, thread sealer etc. in that hole and the bolt is just not tight yet?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
I ran a thread chaser through all the head bolt holes and they are clean. I did pull the head back off and checked the threads again, even threaded a different bolt in the suspect hole and no problems. Only thing I saw was a little galling on the spotface on the head. The washer must have not been seated properly is my only thought. I reinstalled and moved that bolt to a different spot and everything torqued down just fine. Go figure. Now if I just had the new pushrods and rockers, the valve train would be done.
Thanks all.
Thanks all.
