Head bolts breaking off in block

[Tim_K]

The other day, I went to the junkyard and got a 1985 Turbo 287 casting head for porting experimentation and possible use on my 89 Turbo Spirit. During disassembly, one of the 10 head bolts broke off. Second from passenger side, back of the block.

I also have seen one other 2.2 block with a broken head bolt, it was the middle one on the rear of the block.

Are these bolts getting rusted to the block from coolant leaks or something? I don't know what else might cause it. Certainly not an oil leak.

[GLHS0658]

Maybe that's why they went to 11 mm in Mid 1985

Just a thought

[Turbo Charger]

Some people dont oil the bolts when the put them back in.

[Pandemoniac]

When I took the head of my dead '88 new yorker t1 (totally stock motor that went bad) the center head bolt on the rear of the block broke too, and this was an 11mm. While I replace the damaged tranny in my '89 shadow I was planning on replacing the head gasket w/ an aftermarket one, I sure hope none of my bolts break! I'll probably get new bolts just to be safe.

[Hemi-K]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo Charger Some people dont oil the bolts when the put them back in.

Put them back in? These are a one-time use torque-to-yield headbolt, you shouldn't reuse them.

[Hemi-K]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLHS0658 Maybe that's why they went to 11 mm in Mid 1985 Just a thought

Actually they went that way to get a better seal on the headgasket.

[Putter]

I can't remeber which bolt it was, but after 104 arounds on the odo, i think it was one of the corner rears had a fairly significant amount of rust on the threads, and it came out a little tough but i doubt it was close to breaking. Always remember to chase the threads before putting the head back on.