Newbee with questions
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Newbee with questions
I am new to this forum and have not had time to research, so please excuse me if I as questions that have already been addressed in the past.
I have a 2000 5.4L that blew a spark plug this past weekend. I have never heard of this happening before it happened to me and have been unable to fix it. I ended up having to buy a different head and am dreading the work I have ahead of me. Yesterday I was told that I can not reuse the head bolts -- told that they will snap if I try to torque them again. Does anyone know if this is true or if my local Ford dealer is just trying to make a sale? (they also told me these bolts cost 10 bucks each.)
I have a 2000 5.4L that blew a spark plug this past weekend. I have never heard of this happening before it happened to me and have been unable to fix it. I ended up having to buy a different head and am dreading the work I have ahead of me. Yesterday I was told that I can not reuse the head bolts -- told that they will snap if I try to torque them again. Does anyone know if this is true or if my local Ford dealer is just trying to make a sale? (they also told me these bolts cost 10 bucks each.)
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Joined: Nov 2007
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welcome to fte. its usually not recomended to reuse head bolts.the original torqueing actually stretches the bolt,so if you reuse it you will get an incorrect torque reading.however that being said many members on this site have fixed a stripped plug hole without removing the head.they are using a repair kit,if im not mistaken from ford. give these guys on here some more time to post as there is a lot of good knowledge on this site.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kansas
I agree. You can usually fix the stripped plug hole unless it's one from the rear that make it tough to get to. As mentioned above, the bolts do stretch and replacing them is a very good idea if you pull the head.
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Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it.
Yea, Ultramagdan, unfortunatly the one that blew was at the rear. Scared the crud out of me, too..
I really feel that we got "screwed" on this one because we were going to buy a repair kit but the guy at the mechanic shop told us it wouldn't last which is why we opted to replace the head.
Yea, Ultramagdan, unfortunatly the one that blew was at the rear. Scared the crud out of me, too..
I really feel that we got "screwed" on this one because we were going to buy a repair kit but the guy at the mechanic shop told us it wouldn't last which is why we opted to replace the head.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
The timesert repair will usually outlast the head.
The head bolts are torque to yield, which means you torque them several times starting low and working your way up. I would suggest a manual if you do the head repair. After you have reached the proper torque, then you usually have to crank them another 90 degrees. You can not stretch the bolts twice, so they are a one time only part.
The head bolts are torque to yield, which means you torque them several times starting low and working your way up. I would suggest a manual if you do the head repair. After you have reached the proper torque, then you usually have to crank them another 90 degrees. You can not stretch the bolts twice, so they are a one time only part.
