headbolts and headgaskets

[T-ruck]

Well!  I've been looking and reading AND searching a very long time, and have enjoyed many hours of info gathering. But the time has come to ask questions.
 SOOO! Here goes 
 A friend has bought a 82 Rabbit pickup and it is a 1.6 d [by the block]
IT'S a CR-891-652 block, It has 12mm head bolts BUT these 12's wable in the hole, UNTIL hitting bottom? using a OLD BOLT.
But when using a 12x1.75 tap and it is snug NO WABLE. Has someone re-taped to 12 OR WHAT???. Is this maybe normal/ OR is it time for Studs OR WHAT?
The other thing is piston height above the deck, I'M getting 34/35 thou or the top end of a 3 notch for a 1.6 OR use a 1.5 4 notch. [If that can be done.]
 There is more to this story but I'm trying to not complicate  it even more
 

[bbob203]

Stretch bolts.

[TylerDurden]

3-notch is good to .0402", hydro or mech.

[Dakotakid]

What else?

[shorttimer]

Just ordered the ARP head bolts for my AAZ project in a 81Caddy. $178 @ Summit + free shipping. Well I can't say cheap insurance, but I know they can be reused. Got the part #s on this forum. Lots of good info on here, but it takes a lot of looking, sometimes.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Just ordered the ARP head bolts for my AAZ project in a 81Caddy. $178 @ Summit + free shipping. Well I can't say cheap insurance, but I know they can be reused. Got the part #s on this forum. Lots of good info on here, but it takes a lot of looking, sometimes.

BOLTS?

wasnt aware ARP made head bolts for our engines...

[TylerDurden]

More food for thought:

I purchased new 12mm bolts to install in a 1.6.

I threaded one new 12mm bolt into all the locations on a 1V block - it was as loose as the old bolts. However, there was less than +.875mm stretch on the old bolts (not even a valley to peak increase on the threads).


New bolt length = 110.4mm (Tip to washer)

Block-Hole depth = 43.5mm
Head-hole depth = 78.8
Gasket = 1mm
Combined hole depth = 123.3mm
Remaining threads in block after threading head and bolts = 13mm 11mm


Bolt threads below head/gasket = 32mm
Head Block recess before threads begin = 13mm
Thread engaged during fastening = 19mm

Edits: see strikethroughs

[R.O.R-2.0]

ive re-used head bolts more than once..

its been stated that its basically safe to re-use the bolts once, provided you know they are OEM, or you know when they were put in..

its still one of those "run at your own risk" kinds of things tho..

my Jetta TD still has a re-used head gasket, and re-used head bolts..

[Sierra94]

If I can remember it correctly ARP makes a set for a Ford 4 cyl gas engine that has the same bolt dimensions as we do.

I reuse my bolts atleast one time, the same with headgaskets. If no damage ofcourse. I spraypaint them on both sides to fill small scratches etc before mounting them back and tightening the bolts a tad more then the previous time.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

If I can remember it correctly ARP makes a set for a Ford 4 cyl gas engine that has the same bolt dimensions as we do.

I reuse my bolts atleast one time, the same with headgaskets. If no damage ofcourse. I spraypaint them on both sides to fill small scratches etc before mounting them back and tightening the bolts a tad more then the previous time.

Interesting about the spray paint. What kind do you use and did it always work as far as re-using a head gasket? Not that I will do it unless I have no choice.

[R.O.R-2.0]

If I can remember it correctly ARP makes a set for a Ford 4 cyl gas engine that has the same bolt dimensions as we do.

I reuse my bolts atleast one time, the same with headgaskets. If no damage ofcourse. I spraypaint them on both sides to fill small scratches etc before mounting them back and tightening the bolts a tad more then the previous time.

Interesting about the spray paint. What kind do you use and did it always work as far as re-using a head gasket? Not that I will do it unless I have no choice.

ive always used silver floral paint...

the gasket i have now, is treated with nothing..

hell, it was never used on this head/block before, but still had no issues sealing..

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

If I can remember it correctly ARP makes a set for a Ford 4 cyl gas engine that has the same bolt dimensions as we do.

I reuse my bolts atleast one time, the same with headgaskets. If no damage ofcourse. I spraypaint them on both sides to fill small scratches etc before mounting them back and tightening the bolts a tad more then the previous time.

Interesting about the spray paint. What kind do you use and did it always work as far as re-using a head gasket? Not that I will do it unless I have no choice.

ive always used silver floral paint...

the gasket i have now, is treated with nothing..

hell, it was never used on this head/block before, but still had no issues sealing..

Can I ask what the reason was for reusing an old head gasket?

[Sierra94]

I use whatever spraypaint I have around. It seems like brand/type doesnt't matter much. One time I was helping a friend with his car and we took the head of 3 times the same night reusing both bolts and gasket. Sprayed the gasket every time and tightened the bolts a little more each time we tourqed them down.

The engine still runs perfect after 10000 km of driving. The problem  was a bent valvestem. The intake valve on cyl #3 was slighly bent causing a popping sound in the intake, but only occasionally. So we had a hard time figuring out what the problem was. But after changing the valve the problem dissapeared.

[R.O.R-2.0]

I use whatever spraypaint I have around. It seems like brand/type doesnt't matter much. One time I was helping a friend with his car and we took the head of 3 times the same night reusing both bolts and gasket. Sprayed the gasket every time and tightened the bolts a little more each time we tourqed them down.

The engine still runs perfect after 10000 km of driving. The problem  was a bent valvestem. The intake valve on cyl #3 was slighly bent causing a popping sound in the intake, but only occasionally. So we had a hard time figuring out what the problem was. But after changing the valve the problem dissapeared.

bent valve coupled with worn guides, and BAM popping out the intake occasionally..

[Sierra94]

I only wish someone stepped in and told us that late that night  but we did the removal/assembly pretty fast the last time including timing the ip.