Can I swap a head bolt without taking engine apart?
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 579
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From: Virginia
Can I swap a head bolt without taking engine apart?
The head bolts on either sides of my spark plugs are very rusty. I was hoping to get some replacements and carefully change one at a time, re-torquing to the proper value. I'd hate to break the base gasket seat and have to take the motor apart.
Also, should I just use stock bolts?
Also, should I just use stock bolts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
The correct answer is "you shouldn't do that." Now, if you're willing to accept the consequences, which could include a blown head gasket (BHG) and leaking base gasket, then you could try it and see what happens. Worst case is you have a whole lot more work to do. Best case is you get away with it. Personally, I would clean the rust off what you have and maybe brush on some high temp paint.
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From: Bedford UK
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
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From: Powder Springs, GA
I put bolt covers on last year that look like acorn nuts. I normally hate covers but my head bolts had turned. They have been on a year and I still not lost them and I also used a little loc tite on them. You can kinda see them in my pic below.