Head Bolts Oh bongo's!!

[JulesMartin]

I'm in the midst of putting my skimmed and tested head back on and have struck two problems. I read a lot on here and in other places about the torque settings and couldn't find any mention about putting the head bolts in dry or oiled. In the past I've always oiled head bolts when putting them in. I'm coming back into mechanics after a long time away. i oiled the bolts before putting them in but today when trying to tighten down the head some bolts performed as they should others after the two 90' degree turns were still reading less than 60FtLbs. I've continued to build the head up but was not happy about things and I so need/want this to work first time. I've done some reading up on these 'Stretch Bolt's' and now understand that they have to go in dry. So have ordered another new set and will try again this time measuring the length to ensure that they are not bottoming out and will put them in dry.
The second issue is the two smaller bolts at the front. these have a very low torque setting and didn't even get to half way before stripping the threads. I suspect that they were already shot as there are quite a few other signs of this being a botch job in the past. I'd like to ask what you think the two front bolts do? has anybody any experience of being able to fit helicoil's without stripping the whole thing down again. I've got them to bite with threadlock and ptfe tape but they are nowhere near the right setting and I know the tape will fail when subjected to the heat of the engine. any help as always will be really appreciated.

[teenmal]

Your best bet owing to the fact that you are replacing the h/bolts is to remove the head and repair the block. Also give the block h/bolt holes a realy good clean and measure the depth.


Good luck