The Ford Barn

JT FORD · 08-01-2019, 10:41 AM

Should I spray the bolts a few days ahead of the removal with penetrating
oil? If it will ease the removal I will do this........

tubman · 08-01-2019, 10:59 AM

I would do it if I had the time. Also, I would use the liquid instead of spray; it's cheaper and easier to apply. As an alternative, you could try a heat source and candle wax. Lots of guys swear by it

The bolts in these are not the problem the head studs in earlier engines are, but anything to help.

flatjack9 · 08-01-2019, 11:30 AM

Penetrating oil is useless on head bolts. Doesn't really work on studs either. I've soaked starts for weeks and never found it do a things. When you get the stud out, the threads are dry as can be.

Kens 36 · 08-01-2019, 02:32 PM

Jim, did you do a compression test? What did it show? Good luck!

Ken

philipswanson · 08-01-2019, 08:04 PM

Back the bolts off about 3 turns, leave the plugs in and crank the starter. Heads will pop loose. Forget penetrating oil, won't help.

JT FORD · 08-02-2019, 08:05 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Kens 36

Jim, did you do a compression test? What did it show? Good luck!

Ken

Test shows up as a blown gasket between # 4 and #3. Have lost some water also. Its not in the oil.....

19Fordy · 08-02-2019, 11:32 AM

If you do reuse the head bolts, be very sensitive to the "feel of the bolt" as you torque it down. If you feel "softness" in the bolt, the bolt is stretching. Carefully back it out. Had it happen once. Some folks say you shouldn't reuse head bolts but OEM bolts are not available.

JT FORD · 08-02-2019, 01:10 PM

I ordered new bolts from Van Pelt. They should be OK

Ol' Ron · 08-02-2019, 10:35 PM

I always pull them alittle tight, first. Just to see theif they move. I re use them and torque them to 45..50 lba for 3 heat cycles on all heads. Never had a problem.

swedishsteel · 08-02-2019, 10:43 PM

A few years ago a friend told me when attempting to loosen a rusted/old/stuck bolt or nut to try to tighten it just enough to move it before attempting to loosen--I think that's what Ol' Ron means in his post. It works almost ever time. Heat with the blue wrench usually helps, but on head bolts probably not so much. Good luck.

08-01-2019, 10:41 AM	#1
JT FORD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.W. Iowa Posts: 306	Removing cylinder head on 8BA Should I spray the bolts a few days ahead of the removal with penetrating oil? If it will ease the removal I will do this........

08-01-2019, 10:59 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,304	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA I would do it if I had the time. Also, I would use the liquid instead of spray; it's cheaper and easier to apply. As an alternative, you could try a heat source and candle wax. Lots of guys swear by it The bolts in these are not the problem the head studs in earlier engines are, but anything to help.

08-01-2019, 02:32 PM	#4
Kens 36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 374	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA Jim, did you do a compression test? What did it show? Good luck! Ken __________________ https://www.nirgv8.org

08-01-2019, 08:04 PM	#5
philipswanson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bonita, CA Posts: 1,374	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA Back the bolts off about 3 turns, leave the plugs in and crank the starter. Heads will pop loose. Forget penetrating oil, won't help.

08-02-2019, 11:32 AM	#7
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA If you do reuse the head bolts, be very sensitive to the "feel of the bolt" as you torque it down. If you feel "softness" in the bolt, the bolt is stretching. Carefully back it out. Had it happen once. Some folks say you shouldn't reuse head bolts but OEM bolts are not available.

08-01-2019, 11:30 AM	#3
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA Penetrating oil is useless on head bolts. Doesn't really work on studs either. I've soaked starts for weeks and never found it do a things. When you get the stud out, the threads are dry as can be.

08-02-2019, 01:10 PM	#8
JT FORD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.W. Iowa Posts: 306	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA I ordered new bolts from Van Pelt. They should be OK

08-02-2019, 10:35 PM	#9
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA I always pull them alittle tight, first. Just to see theif they move. I re use them and torque them to 45..50 lba for 3 heat cycles on all heads. Never had a problem.

08-02-2019, 10:43 PM	#10
swedishsteel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 342	Re: Removing cylinder head on 8BA A few years ago a friend told me when attempting to loosen a rusted/old/stuck bolt or nut to try to tighten it just enough to move it before attempting to loosen--I think that's what Ol' Ron means in his post. It works almost ever time. Heat with the blue wrench usually helps, but on head bolts probably not so much. Good luck.