Removing cylinder head on 8BA

JT FORD

JT FORD

Senior Member
Should I spray the bolts a few days ahead of the removal with penetrating
oil? If it will ease the removal I will do this........
 
I would do it if I had the time. Also, I would use the liquid instead of spray; it's cheaper and easier to apply. As an alternative, you could try a heat source and candle wax. Lots of guys swear by it

The bolts in these are not the problem the head studs in earlier engines are, but anything to help.
 
Penetrating oil is useless on head bolts. Doesn't really work on studs either. I've soaked starts for weeks and never found it do a things. When you get the stud out, the threads are dry as can be.
 
Back the bolts off about 3 turns, leave the plugs in and crank the starter. Heads will pop loose. Forget penetrating oil, won't help.
 
If you do reuse the head bolts, be very sensitive to the "feel of the bolt" as you torque it down. If you feel "softness" in the bolt, the bolt is stretching. Carefully back it out. Had it happen once. Some folks say you shouldn't reuse head bolts but OEM bolts are not available.
 
I always pull them alittle tight, first. Just to see theif they move. I re use them and torque them to 45..50 lba for 3 heat cycles on all heads. Never had a problem.
 
A few years ago a friend told me when attempting to loosen a rusted/old/stuck bolt or nut to try to tighten it just enough to move it before attempting to loosen--I think that's what Ol' Ron means in his post. It works almost ever time. Heat with the blue wrench usually helps, but on head bolts probably not so much. Good luck.
 
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