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Re: Head bolt snapped

To: Philip Hubbard <hubbard@idir.net>
Subject: Re: Head bolt snapped
From: Frank Clarici <spritenut@Exit109.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1999 20:35:35 -0400
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net
Organization: Positive Earth Drivers Club
References: <3.0.1.32.19990420190642.006f0804@idir.net>
Reply-to: Frank Clarici <spritenut@Exit109.com>
Sender: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net
Philip Hubbard wrote:
> 
> Ok, I think I know the answer to this one, but I'm hoping to be surprised.
> 
> I came home from work today and before the engine got cold I thought I'd
> retorque the head from replacing the head gasket last week and redo the
> valve adjustments hot instead of cold like last time.
> 
> Yep, turning the smaller of the pair in sequence number 2 I snapped the
> bolt.  How bad is this?  "Don't drive the car even a foot, get a new bolt,
> tear the head off again and replace the bolt bad?"  Or is it, "ought to do
> that this weekend bad" or is it "out of 13 head bolts one small won't hurt
> bad"?  I certainly don't expect the latter answer.
> 
> Also, if I need to replace this bolt before driving again, assuming I can
> get hold of the broken off bolt, can I take it out and replace it without
> taking off the head?
> 
> As always, I really appreciate any advice as my fiancee will have to take
> the bus to work on Wed and Thurs if I need to replace this bolt before
> driving again.  I hate doing that but no bus goes out to where I work and
> we work too far apart to drop one or the other of us off and head to our
> own place of work.
> 

Philip

Did you snap a head bolt or a rocker mounting bolt?
9/16" nut (head) 1/2" head (rocker)
There are 9 head bolts, studs actually, and 4 rocker mount studs.
Rocker mount studs are not a big deal, remove the other 3, loosen all
the head bolts (drain coolant again below the head) remove the rocker
arm assembly and see if you can get a vise grip on what's left of the
stud.
Torque on the rocker mount is only 22 ftlbs. A long bolt will work in
it's place if you have no spare stud. Watch the 2 end studs, they are
longer to accept the rocker cover nuts.
If it is a head bolt, remove the head, remove all the studs 'cause they
are stretched and weak. Order a new set of studs.

Good luck

-- 
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
Bugeye Sprite
67 Sprite
59 A40
http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/

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