Spi head gasket
 

I suspect my head gasket is trash can I reuse the head studs I thought I read u could on a focus but I searched to no avail.

Tnks

Brandon

Posted via FF Mobile

Hi Brandon,

According to the Haynes manual-"....the bolts are the stretch type that must be replaced with new ones whenever they're removed."

I replaced mine when I had the head resurfaced and valve job done.

did you ever get that head replaced btw? and yes IIRC bolts are one time one use unfortunately.

They're called TTY Bolts (Torque-To-Yield) and yes, they're only good once.

Buy new bolts, if you think you're going to be keeping that car and engine until the doors fall off, do some research and see if ARP makes bolts for the engine. Those shouldn't stretch.

Are the 'ARP' bolts torqued to the same spec's as the OEM bolts?

The SOHC are one time use, $24 - Felpro. The DOHC are rated for two uses before replacement - aren't they?

I'm rebuilding a SOHC 2.0 SPI and have less than complete faith in the specifications provided by our trusty friends at Fel-Pro. Could I get a few second opinions on the torque specifications and end sequence for the Head Bolts? I currently have them all at 44 ft/lbs and will hold sequence until a consensus of the SPI gods has been made. Thank you.

It is routine for gasket makers and others to now suggest that ALL stressed bolts like head bolts should be changed, it is more of a guarantee their part will be successful. Besides that it sells more parts...............I notice that Felpro now calls for new bolts on engines I know for a fact don't need them.

The way you tell-

if final tightening is worded as a DEGREE OF ANGLE such as 90 degrees or 45 degrees or whatever, then yes, you need to change the bolts.

if final tighten is a TORQUE, or 44 ft.lbs. or 65 ft.lbs., etc. then bolts are reuseable provided nothing has happened to them that would warrant their being changed.

SPI seems to call for a last tighten of 1/4 turn so that is 90 degree angle, so yes, bolts need to change. They get stretched out of shape at first tightening, you can blow head gasket by using them again since they are already internally yielded (TTY, or 'torque to yield', the type of bolt).

My stuff says.......................

go to 37 ft.lbs.

back off all 1/2 turn

go back to 37 again

go 1/4 turn more all

then go another 1/4 turn all again.




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