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head bolts


dirtymike

dirtymike

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Replacing head gaskets and need to apply silicone to the head bolts that enter the water jacket. The location of the specific bolts need non hardening sealant and I can't seem to find there location in the service manual (haynes). Tried to use the search menu with limited results. Thanks Dirty
 
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dirtymike

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anybody
 
ericbphoto

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I don't have a specific answer. But...

You should be able to feel with a pick or maybe even see, using a good flashlight, which holes are open to coolant passages. Those would be the ones needing sealant. Any blind hole, one that does not intersect with any internal passages, should be fine without.

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Paulos

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The head bolts do not require sealant. Putting sealer on some of the threads would affect the torque readings, and cause the torque to be different than the non sealed bolts. It IS recommended to use a tap to clean up the threads in the block so torque readings are not affected.
 
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dirtymike

dirtymike

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Yes the head bolts require sealent, only the ones that enter a water jacket. There are 16 head bolts. Some of them require non hardening sealant. All the others require oil. Which ones they are is a mystery.
 

Paulos

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Neither manual I have says anything about using sealant/sealer on head bolts for the 2.9. I have the Ford service manual for 1987 Rangers and it says nothing about it. The Haynes manual says nothing about sealant/sealer either. I put new heads on my 2.9 in 2004 without sealer on the bolts. Never had a problem (175,000 miles later).
 
dirtymike

dirtymike

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Cant argue with that. 175k.Thanks
 
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Paulos

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@dirtymike,

I just checked a 2.9 short block and none of the head bolt holes in the block are subject to coolant in the water jacket. They're all drilled and tapped about 2" deep (I didn't actually measure, but they all bottom out in the block).

So, clean up the threads with a tap, clean out the holes with compressed air or a spray lubricant, use motor oil on the bolt threads and you're good to go.
 
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I would not put lubricant on the threads. That reduces the coefficient of friction. If you do that, you should reduce the applied torque accordingly. Most torque values are given for dry threads. Lubricating the threads and torqueing to the dry torque value could end up with over-torqued fasteners which can mean weak fasteners.

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Paulos

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I understand what you're saying, but you're assuming that the specified torque IS a dry torque.

I was taught to use motor oil decades ago, and I just read an article at http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2005/07/perfect-engine-sealing-starts-with-proper-head-bolt-use/ regarding proper torque techniques. It states

"As a rule, the threads and underside of the head on most standard automotive head bolts should be lubricated with motor oil before the bolts are installed. The torque values specified by the engine manufacturer are typically based on oiled threads and fasteners – not dry fasteners. Most service manuals recommend using straight 30W oil or 10W-30 multi-viscosity oil. Though 10W-30 is obviously a thinner oil than straight 30W oil, one gasket engineer we interviewed said the difference is negligible and has almost no measurable effect on bolt loading".

I've always used oil on the threads and under the bolt head, and never had head gasket issues afterwards.
 
ericbphoto

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Great. That's why I said "most" torque values and not all. Now I know this is one of the exceptions. Thanks.

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