2002 ws6. While tightening new head bolts I heard a crack sound this was on 2 separate head bolts on the same side. It was quite tight but still about a quarter inch off the head and after the sound it loosened up. I wasn't going fast and did a little on one then moved to the next. I did have anti seize and they were new bolts, just worried about the noise. How easy is it to crack the block and how can I tell If I did? Its still not finished yet so I cant run it to see if theres any problems.

 

did you make sure there wasn't any fluid in the bolt holes.They have to be absolutely clean and dry,or you can crack the block.If you heard 2 pops on 1 side,I would pull that head back off and check for damage.

 

I did blow them out with compressed air but I guess I'm just not to sure. I did have a bunch of anti seize on the bolts. It loosened up after the noise and I torqued them without problems, how hard would I have to be pushing to crack the block. Is their any way I can test the bolt holes to see If something cracked?

 

did you use any lubricant on the bolts and or bolt heads. at the dealership i work at when the bolts arent lubricated prior to installation, there will be a very crisp cracking noise. naturally check for cracks in the block but i think this is what you heard.

 

which bolts?

 

If all you did was blow them out, and they got tight 1/4" off the head you can be fairly sure you cracked the block. Pull the heads and see what you have.

 

If the bolts had a "spongy" feel to them you had water in the bolt holes.

Troy

 

They were the m11 bolts, and they didint have a spongy feeling to them. They did have a copper anti seize lube new m11 bolts, and it was a pretty crisp noise. How much force is needed to crack the block? I guess I'll pull the head tonight and take a look, I'm just not sure that I'll be able to see much being that I put anti seize on the bolts.

 

I had similar issue with stock bolts. There was something red in color on the threads. When I ran them in and they got difficult to tighten, I backed them out a little and started tightening again and they went in easy. No issues so far and torque to yield they get pretty tight estimate 80-90 ft lb.

I blew the bolt holes out with compressed air 3 or 4 times, until I couldn't get anything out of them.

 

What happened is I think you overtorqued the stock bolts, it happened to me once.right on the last bolt on the last head i was installing..I heard it pop and then it got "loose" I thought I cracked the block.... so I removed the head ( luckily the motor was out of the car ) and found that I had twisted the bolt in half.....the remainder of the bolt was stuck stuck inside of the block pretty deep. I had to use an EZ out to extract the broken half.. Try loosening that bolt, I bet you snapped it in half. your block should be fine but that head is going to have to come off anyway.

 

well I didnt snap any bolts and they are new bolts that came with the trickflow top end set. I just got the head off and really cant see in there to look for damage. Any suggestions ?? They had some moisture on them, I guess I wasnt able to blow the holes totally clean. I think I'm gonna try putting the air nozzle up to the bolt hole to see it the coolant on the inside bubbles. I'd love any info or suggestions.

 

Roll up a paper towel as tight as you can, and force it to the bottom. I used a screw driver. Be careful not to loose the towel in the hole. I did this till the towel came up dry, THEN used the air to blow them out.

Troy

 

Perfect

 

I used a wet/dry vac with the hose reduced down to the size of a straw to suck the holes out. Then I used a thread chaser (ground old head bolts) to get the non-liquid crud.

 

well i took it back apart and checked it the best I could, several different ways. And convinced that everything is fine! We'll see when I start it up. But really cleaned it out again did everything except run a tap through it ( only cause its impossible to find a 11-2.00 tap!!!!!!) so heads are back on. I'll post the outcome when i run it. rocker, intake headers exhaust radiator yet to go on, any tips or pointers would be great.