Cylinder Head Bolts Reusable?

[Nevz773]

Have either a cracked head or at minimum a blown head gasket and wondering whether I can reuse head bolts or are they one and done? 2001 Bobcat 773G V2003T engine w/2800 hours on machine

 

[foton]

do some research and maybe there l be some thing on this subject to your engine. I know some engines they suggest this, because the bolts are know to stretch under turbo boost, and create head gasket leaks. I do not think your engine is one of these. I have always heard it is best to use fresh head bolts but I never have, on non- boosted engines and not known to have those issues.

 

[Nevz773]

do some research and maybe there l be some thing on this subject to your engine. I know some engines they suggest this, because the bolts are know to stretch under turbo boost, and create head gasket leaks. I do not think your engine is one of these. I have always heard it is best to use fresh head bolts but I never have, on non- boosted engines and not known to have those issues.

I will do some research on this and follow up if I find something written.

 

[ianmcolo]

Yes you can reuse the head bolts. I have had many many Kubota heads off and have never installed new bolts. When you pull the head make sure to check your cylinder walls to see if they are washed out, you will know this because the "cross hatch" machining will be gone.

 

[Nevz773]

Yes you can reuse the head bolts. I have had many many Kubota heads off and have never installed new bolts. When you pull the head make sure to check your cylinder walls to see if they are washed out, you will know this because the "cross hatch" machining will be gone.

Pulled the head off and discovered no cracks, so it look like I got lucky. The cross hatch was present and prominent in all 4 holes. I discovered that the wastegate arm was seized in the closed position and wonder if overboosting caused the head gasket to pop. I broke the arm off of the turbo trying to free it up so had to buy a new one.

 

[ianmcolo]

Pulled the head off and discovered no cracks, so it look like I got lucky. The cross hatch was present and prominent in all 4 holes. I discovered that the wastegate arm was seized in the closed position and wonder if overboosting caused the head gasket to pop. I broke the arm off of the turbo trying to free it up so had to buy a new one.

Sounds good!! I have never heard of a turbo blowing a head gasket, with that said I could possible see that happening by not allowing the exhaust gases to escape and causing it to over heat.

 

[Nevz773]

Sounds good!! I have never heard of a turbo blowing a head gasket, with that said I could possible see that happening by not allowing the exhaust gases to escape and causing it to over heat.

I ended up using old head bolts and 20 hours later have no problems.

 

[foton]

I ended up using old head bolts and 20 hours later have no problems.

somewhere between now and 50 hrs. I would be tempted to retorquing the head just as a precaution. just go to the last torque setting and go thru the sequence again.