Re-use head gasket?
WOW. Just wow. First and foremost, let me speak on behalf of most of the GM techs in the field today and just say that we aren't as dumb as you make us out to be. Its this kind of mudslinging that has really driven me away from this site, and I now have a really low tolerance for such behavior. Before you go defaming the few of us that earn a living at these establishments, let me clear it up. Quoted DIRECTLY (cut and pasted) from the GM service manual, SI 2000:
[QUOTE:Service information for 2002 Pontiac Firebird]
Important:
• Do not reuse the cylinder head bolts. Install NEW cylinder head bolts during assembly.
• Do not use any type of sealant on the cylinder head gasket (unless specified).
• The cylinder head gasket must be installed in the proper direction and position.
Caution: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.
Notice: Clean all dirt, debris, and coolant from the engine block cylinder head bolt holes. Failure to remove all foreign material may result in damaged threads, improperly tightened fasteners or damage to components.
Object Number: 63235 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
1. Clean the engine block cylinder head bolt holes, if required.
Thread repair tool J 42385-107 may be used to clean the threads of old threadlocking material.
2. Spray cleaner GM P/N 12346139, P/N 12377981, (Canadian P/N 10953463), or equivalent into the hole.
3. Clean the cylinder head bolt holes with compressed air.
4. Check the cylinder head locating pins for proper installation.
Object Number: 63169 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
5. Install the NEW cylinder head gasket onto the locating pins.
Object Number: 490861 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
Important: when properly installed, the tab on the left cylinder head gasket will be located left of center, or closer to the front of the engine, and the words "This Side Up", and the engine displacement, will be visible.
6. Inspect the gasket for proper installation.
Object Number: 260146 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
7. Install the cylinder head onto the locating pins and the gasket.
Pp 8. Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.
Object Number: 260150 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
9. Tighten the cylinder head bolts.
Tighten
1. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-10) a first pass in sequence to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
2. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-10) a second pass in sequence to 90 degrees using the J 36660-A .
3. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-8) to 90 degrees and the M11 cylinder head bolts (9 and 10) to 50 degrees a final pass in sequence using J 36660-A .
4. Tighten the M8 cylinder head bolts (11-15) to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
Begin with the center bolt (11) and alternating side-to-side, work outward tightening all of the bolts.
[QUOTE:Service information for 2002 Pontiac Firebird]
Important:
• Do not reuse the cylinder head bolts. Install NEW cylinder head bolts during assembly.
• Do not use any type of sealant on the cylinder head gasket (unless specified).
• The cylinder head gasket must be installed in the proper direction and position.
Caution: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.
Notice: Clean all dirt, debris, and coolant from the engine block cylinder head bolt holes. Failure to remove all foreign material may result in damaged threads, improperly tightened fasteners or damage to components.
Object Number: 63235 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
1. Clean the engine block cylinder head bolt holes, if required.
Thread repair tool J 42385-107 may be used to clean the threads of old threadlocking material.
2. Spray cleaner GM P/N 12346139, P/N 12377981, (Canadian P/N 10953463), or equivalent into the hole.
3. Clean the cylinder head bolt holes with compressed air.
4. Check the cylinder head locating pins for proper installation.
Object Number: 63169 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
5. Install the NEW cylinder head gasket onto the locating pins.
Object Number: 490861 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
Important: when properly installed, the tab on the left cylinder head gasket will be located left of center, or closer to the front of the engine, and the words "This Side Up", and the engine displacement, will be visible.
6. Inspect the gasket for proper installation.
Object Number: 260146 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
7. Install the cylinder head onto the locating pins and the gasket.
Pp 8. Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.
Object Number: 260150 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
9. Tighten the cylinder head bolts.
Tighten
1. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-10) a first pass in sequence to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
2. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-10) a second pass in sequence to 90 degrees using the J 36660-A .
3. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-8) to 90 degrees and the M11 cylinder head bolts (9 and 10) to 50 degrees a final pass in sequence using J 36660-A .
4. Tighten the M8 cylinder head bolts (11-15) to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
Begin with the center bolt (11) and alternating side-to-side, work outward tightening all of the bolts.
Thank you. Its nice to see that I'm the only GM tech on here that's read and performed those service manuals and bulletins. Hell, the GM dealer I worked for sent me to school and paid for all of my certificates. Not only am I GM certified, I carry a Master ASE, and an A&P license (aviation).
As a matter of fact, that's how I meet "the merv" he came into the dealer to buy parts for his old camaro and I went out to talk to him.
BTW, I fixed your spelling oh smart one..
Yup, good catch. My phone likes to add letters when it thinks you miss spell something. Yeah, and it seems cool how well your harness worked our after everyone told you it would never work.
I would like to re-state that I was never going to re-use head bolts, no matter what anyone says. I apreciate all that good info in this thread from people with some sense. I still havent decided which way to go on the gasket, but it will be a little while, waiting on a piston and valves.
Thanks again
Thanks again
I think everyone knew you wouldn't. It just went crazy when the re-use TTY bolt guy started spreading the worst advice ever. I for one have been a victim of some dumb *** re-using a TTY bolt and it makes me furious to hear what he said. Good luck with everything.
I work at a Chevy dealership and have never seen any tech reuse tty head bolts. If you know of a GM dealer that does do not take your car there for service because they have no clue.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
I would like to re-state that I was never going to re-use head bolts, no matter what anyone says. I apreciate all that good info in this thread from people with some sense. I still havent decided which way to go on the gasket, but it will be a little while, waiting on a piston and valves.
Thanks again
Thanks again
K, when I grow up I wanna be a racecar driver..
Ya and what back woods inbred hillbilly redneck shop you claim to work/**** things up at?
Ya and what back woods inbred hillbilly redneck shop you claim to work/**** things up at?
