Thread: mixing up the head bolts

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i've got an 89 camaro 350. broke a rocker stud and pulled the head. lined up the bolts as i took them out. after getting it back together the motor overheats after about a half hour. the coolant overflow bottle fills almost to the top and won't drain back to the radiator. i changed the radiator cap, no luck. there's a slow gurgle after i shut the motor off but the bottle level stays the same. is it possible i mixed up the head bolts and blocked a coolant passage in the block? there's 2 bolts shorter than the others. can anyone advise of where those 2 go in the head. maybe i just need to retorque the head bolts. any help is apprecciated. thanx, rick

I seem to think the short ones go in the front, but dont quote me on that. Some one here will have a more conclusive answer.

the short head bolts two for each head go by the oil returns in the head one in the front one in the back of the head. was your head check for cracks

no they werent. i've got to get the covers off and check those 2 bolts and retorque it. should i retorue the bolts w/ engine hot or cold? thanx, rick

Originally Posted by rgrigutis

no they werent. i've got to get the covers off and check those 2 bolts and retorque it. should i retorue the bolts w/ engine hot or cold? thanx, rick

warm would be ok .i would check for a air lock . run the car at a idel with cap loose or off it will be messy but when the stat opens it should stop pumping coolent up and out i have a big funnel i put in with the cap off it keeps the mess down some what

Don't get mad Pat, because I know your a professional.
Are you sure the head gasget is right? Kurt

Originally Posted by vara4

Don't get mad Pat, because I know your a professional.
Are you sure the head gasget is right? Kurt

what head gasket ? he did say 350 ?he never did say what he used. but there all about the same but the 400 gasket would have steam holes and bigger bore not like a 351/400M were you can put them on the wrong way

well this motor is in an old c 10 pickup. it had a copper head gasket and i reused it. i bought the truck about a year ago. the heads had been reworked, new cam, valve train, etc.. the kid who rebuilt it didn't have a clue, truck ran poorly so he sold it cheap to me. i've been going round and round w/ the heads trying to get things straight. long story.

anyhow, today i pulled the valve covers and checked the torque on thge bolts. everything seemed ok. went for a 20 minute spin, motor was at about 180. 10 above normal for this motor. pulled the cover again and the back bolt wasn't loose but about half as tight as the others maybe 40 pounds. tightened that bolt and the vacuum sucked the coolant bottle dry. yes!!!!!!!!! started it up and ran it w/ the cap off for awhile and topped it off. hopefully things are back the way they were. thanks for the help, it's much appreciated, rick

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

what head gasket ? he did say 350 ?he never did say what he used. but there all about the same but the 400 gasket would have steam holes and bigger bore not like a 351/400M were you can put them on the wrong way

Yeah, like I've never done that on a Ford......

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Yeah, like I've never done that on a Ford......

i know a guy that did that one .that was over 24 years ago still hurts only when i think about that one. now i must lay down the pain is coming back

I have not done that one, but I forgot to put a back plate on a water pump
in a Ambulance.
I didn't figure it out till I had everything back together trying to fill the radiator.
Needless to say after pulling the grill back out and all the pullies off again
I have not done it again. That was the first time I had gotten a water pump without a
backing plate, Now I check them all, HE! HE! HE! Kurt