I am reflecting back on my head gasket replacement I did a few weeks ago....a couple of the bolts on one head creaked when turned rather than a quiet smooth turn like the others

I was not done with the torqing when this happened so I backed them all out and oiled them all again...even inside the hole....yet, these same bolts creaked again

Now in hindsight, I am worried I may not have enough torque on them compared to the others

I don't really remember exactly when in the sequence the creaking started tho...

96 EJ25

BTW....I had a new CCR short block that I was bolting to....

Got more money into this car than I wanted to...but she is running like a dream...as long as the tranny lasts, I have a new motor

Always seems to be a couple like that. I swear it doesn't matter how well lubed they are.

 

I never tried a new bolt when that has happened to see if it's the hole or the bolt.

 

Dave

The head bolts will do this. Its ok

The head bolts will do this. Its ok

yep, very common and it's not just EJ25's that do it, all motors i've worked on do that.

 

easy on the oiling. it's easy to get too much oil, which then pushes out of the hole and gets onto the block/head and headgasket mating surface. i'm guessing that's not a good thing.

I like the head bolts (non Subaru) that tell you to basically dip the whole thing in oil. And yea - often they still creak.

 

Dave

Are You guys chasing the threads with a tap before installing the head bolts?