Cylinder Head Bolts not going in easily?
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canada karl
- Posts: 1065
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:50 pm
Cylinder Head Bolts not going in easily?
All the bolts went in easily ,starting at the front of the head and working back.I threaded them in a bit but did not tighten or torque them. When I got to the last five they didn't want to start and I did not want to force them as I was afraid to strip the threads. I had cleaned out the bolt holes and blew air in prior to the head install and cleaned the bolt threads. I tried lightly tapping the head with a rubber mallet. I could try putting a lining bar down one of the holes but dont want to damage the threads that way either. I made sure the dowels were seated properly and even took them down a bit with sandpaper as the head was shaved .005. Wonder if I should pull the head off and remove the rear dowel and try the install without it??? CK
Did they not want to start threading or would they not go thru the head to the block? If it's the latter, it's probably the rocker shafts not being perfectly aligned, they have a notch in them to allow the bolt to go thru, then lock in place with the shoulder on the head bolt. If they won't start, it sounds like a block issue, you might need to chase the threads with a tap or have dirty or damaged head bolts.
Mike W.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
Maybe it is a bit late for this, but...
I agree with Mike.
It is very probably, that one of the total four rocker shafts is a bit misaligned.
In that case - you can use a electric torch (better a thin single white LED torch) and look in the bolt hole in the head. You can easily see if there is a little misalignment. The strange is, that depending on the front or the rear shafts - you will have problems only with three or four consecutive bolts, but you reported - 5 bolts
I agree with Mike.
It is very probably, that one of the total four rocker shafts is a bit misaligned.
In that case - you can use a electric torch (better a thin single white LED torch) and look in the bolt hole in the head. You can easily see if there is a little misalignment. The strange is, that depending on the front or the rear shafts - you will have problems only with three or four consecutive bolts, but you reported - 5 bolts