headgasket on a B8

[FazdaBoy4ever]

hey guys i have a couple questions for those with the B8:

1: what is the de-tq sequence for the head bolts (im assuming tq sequence is just opposite?)

2: how about a tq spec for the head bolts.

3: are they torque to yield bolts? (do you tighten them till the torque spec then turn it like 90 more degrees)


I am the proud owner of a B8 powered protege. its not ever going to touch my 13 second escort but its transportation while i part my escort out. its in great shape it just needs a head gasket. im SUPER comefortable with this chassis, i just dont know the above questions.

also is there anything i should know that everyone does wrong that i should watch out for? again im assuming its really straightforward.

[92dx]

1. see pic. THIS IS TIGHTENING SEQ. REVERSE FOR REMOVAL.

2. head bolt tourque=56-60ft lbs.

3. no

Basically make sure mating surfaces are clean of all old gasket material, chase the block threads, use new head bolts.

[FazdaBoy4ever]

see my thing is, if they are not torque to yield bolts ill be just fine reusing them... thats why i ask, if they are torque to yield, they will stretch and be too damaged to reuse, if not they are ok... (same as my bp, i am running used head bolts on my refreshed motor)

i appreciate it, i didnt want to have to spend 15 bucks on a stupid manual for that info.

[92dx]

Yeah, I usualy use new ones when I do a headgasket.

extra peace of mind, I suppose...

[Jho]

Yeah, I usualy use new ones when I do a headgasket.

extra peace of mind, I suppose...

Always use new head bolts. Why go through all of that work and not replace them? They are so crucial.


Nice diagram BTW Randy.

[purewhitemp5]

Always no matter what use new head bolts !!!!!!!!! I cant stress enough the importance of doing this !!! Do it right or do it again and again untill you do it right.

[Jho]

Do it right or do it again and again untill you do it right.

Word.

Do it once, do it right!

[FazdaBoy4ever]

Always no matter what use new head bolts !!!!!!!!! I cant stress enough the importance of doing this !!! Do it right or do it again and again untill you do it right.

i have like 4500 miles on my junkyard motor with reused head bolts on my bp

my buddy called a head shop about head bolts for his bp when he did his head gasket... they looked it up in a book to see if he needed to replace them. they told him, if the book says to replace them they replace them, if it says recomended then they ask the customer, and if it doesnt say anything they reuse them...

the reason that your supposed to replace them is simply if you torque to yield tighten them... aka just stretching to bolt beyond where it is supposed to stretch, killing the bolt. if you dont torque to yield the bolt is no different than a bolt in the case of your tranny.

i appreciate the concern, and ill price them for sure, but this is a very budget build... id like to MAKE 1-1.5k on the sale of this car after i repare everything damaged. and i cannot make jack if i spend all my money reparing it. this car has SO much going for it...

ALL of the splash guards under the motor, spair tire, factory jack, tire iron + the factory bolts to hold the jack and wheel down (i havent ever seen them before, even in the junk yard). there was a black case with fix a flat, nu touch (tire spray), mini medi packs, flair, and a HELP sign (the case said vancouver mazda on it) so this case is from the factory 15 years ago. im probably going to put my gunmetal 16s on it, it has stock wheels with studs that will also go with it.... this car has EVERYTHING and is SO clean i just have a list of things needing repair and im trying to work it to where i have the least outgo to get the most income

i have to:
-head gasket
-radiator replace
-exhaust leak repair
-headlight replace (drivers headlight mount was damaged in low speed accident)
-replace front bumper (this is the only thing that made contact in the accident but it bowed up on the impact and broke the headlight housing.
-work the smoke smell out of it
-get factory panasonic tape player working (i was told by them it drained the battary when it was plugged in... ill probably just replace it with my kenwood cd player)
-buff the paint to get all the light surface scratches out

if i can do all of that for 250 ill be a happy camper, bumper dependant on where i get it will be like 25-175 dollars, head gasket like 60 or so, valve cover gasket 20, exhaust leak, hopefully free with my father in laws help (his welder),headlight is like 25, trim under headlight 5 bucks, radiator 50 bucks from junkyard.

you may call me stupid if you would like, i understand your just trying to help me out... ill research them more to see if they do loose their integrity like torque to yield bolts.

[FazdaBoy4ever]

also replacing the head bolts in a B8 is nothing, you dont even have to disconnect the plug wires, just remove the valve cover bolts, pop the valve cover off and viola... so you want me to spend like 80-90 bucks on bolts that i personally believe will do just fine, when in a matter of 10 minutes i can have them all replaced if it came to that.

[FazdaBoy4ever]

ALSO 92dx thanks for the diagram and info!

[Jho]

I am skeptical about you getting all of that work done for $250, but good luck regardless.

[92dx]

ALSO 92dx thanks for the diagram and info!

sure, glad I could help

[Meltdownsky]

DO NOT REUSE THE HEAD BOLTS...I BROKE ONE FRIDAY TRYING TO TORQUE IT TO SPECS. AND HAD TO TAKE THE HEAD [AND BOTH MANIFOLDS BACK OFF, MINES A DOHC]!!! LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE....LISTEN TO JHO, HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT....Melt Down Sky...

[Jho]

DO NOT REUSE THE HEAD BOLTS...I BROKE ONE FRIDAY TRYING TO TORQUE IT TO SPECS. AND HAD TO TAKE THE HEAD [AND BOTH MANIFOLDS BACK OFF, MINES A DOHC]!!! LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE....LISTEN TO JHO, HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT....Melt Down Sky...

Represent!


When are you getting that **** back together?

[FazdaBoy4ever]

your yelling at me like i dont know what your talking about... my dohc that is turbocharged in my car right now is using old head bolts and i was at the track last week pushing upwards of 12 psi over somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 runs... my buddys car used his old head bolts in his escort gt he then put about 25k more miles on it and sold it because he wanted a 323.

i know i may come out of this in the wrong but to me, even if it takes my labor to remove the head, and take the time to get the stud out... my labor is free, and head bolts are not, i care about spending money on a car i have plans to sell... while i would be pissed off i have to work backwards id still rather be pissed than have spent the money and wonder if that was something i didnt need to spend money on.