Gregor 4,847 #1 Posted October 30, 2020 I mentioned in another thread that when I went to remove the head from my K321 on the Wheelhorse, some of the head bolts were very loose. I did finally get the head off, and replaced the head gasket. Since both of my Masseys are in the garage, I decided to check the head bolts on them also. WOW What a surprise. Both are Kohler K321 motors. Both had very loose head bolts. If you have not checked yours in a while, I would urge you to do so. Just my 2 cents worth. Greg 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,182 #2 Posted October 30, 2020 Best to torque them, get her hot then hit them again. Big blocks I go to 30 then 35 ft lbs. Thanks for the reminder 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,860 #3 Posted October 30, 2020 Failure to retorque after a warn-up is an invitation to buy a new head gasket. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,337 #4 Posted October 30, 2020 17 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Failure to retorque after a warn-up is an invitation to buy a new head gasket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #5 Posted October 31, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, WHX24 said: Best to torque them, get her hot then hit them again. Big blocks I go to 30 then 35 ft lbs. Thanks for the reminder I'm glad he mentioned that. Whodaa thunk. I did go back and retorque them, and probably will one more time. A couple of years ago, I had the head gaskets replaced on my old truck. That's gonna keep me awake tonight. Edited October 31, 2020 by Gregor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J854D 137 #6 Posted October 31, 2020 Rest easy @Gregor, most gasket companies (like Fel-Pro) offer PermaTorque (no re-torque) head gaskets for automotive & light truck applications. -JD- 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,182 #7 Posted October 31, 2020 I recently ripped into this 161 that Pullstart give me. Bet ther ain't but 20 hours on this rebuilt motor. Head bolts seemed to come out easy and the gasket had signs. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,397 #8 Posted October 31, 2020 I replace head bolts if they are originals. I replaced the head bolts on the original Skonk motor a few years back. 1 bolt broke very easily when removed. I thought oh great this is going to be difficult to get the broken piece out. But it spun right out by hand. Laying the 2 pieces end to end, I could see that metal was actually missing. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,182 #9 Posted October 31, 2020 You use grade 5s or 8s Squonk? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,337 #10 Posted October 31, 2020 Myself l would use grade 8 . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,397 #11 Posted October 31, 2020 Grade 8 flange head bolts. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,893 #12 Posted October 31, 2020 55 minutes ago, squonk said: Grade 8 flange head bolts. Mike do you reuse the extra thick washers ??? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,397 #13 Posted October 31, 2020 1 hour ago, pfrederi said: Mike do you reuse the extra thick washers ??? Yes I do 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #14 Posted October 31, 2020 3 minutes ago, squonk said: Yes I do Do you "descale" and use some type of lubricant? When I built my little SBC, ARP sent their "lube in a tube" for the washers before installing the nuts (I studded my heads) or bolts for a more accurate torque. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,397 #15 Posted October 31, 2020 Just a dab of oil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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