Reusing head bolts on a 220D

[kalpol]

I seem to remember there is some measurement for the maximum stretch of head bolts - if they are under that length they can be reused. Is that right? If so, I can't find the value for maximum length anywhere.

Thanks!

[LuckyEddie]

I bought a pair of 220 diesels (his&hers) a long time ago that had engines disassembled and in a box. I rebuilt them and my wife and I drove them for years. At the time I did not know anything about the head bolts and just cleaned them and reused them. I had no problem with them but I did re torque them on occasion. I did have one head furnace brazed to stop a crack though.

Good running cars but I got outrun by a city bus on a hill one time.

Good luck
Robert

[Mike D]

What Lucky Eddie meant to say was, "I got outrun by a guy running to catch a city bus one time".

[LuckyEddie]

Originally Posted by Mike D

What Lucky Eddie meant to say was, "I got outrun by a guy running to catch a city bus one time".

Only the young ones could out run me and then not for far. At Least on level ground.

Robert

[t walgamuth]

Those are not stretch bolts. reuse all you want!

[ja17]

Yes, the stretch bolts came in the later 240D and 300D cars. And with them came the "angle of rotation" method of torquing to stretch them.

[PanzerSD]

I'd never re-use head bolts.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by PanzerSD

I'd never re-use head bolts.

Have you priced 220d head bolts?

[250 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Mike D

What Lucky Eddie meant to say was, "I got outrun by a guy running to catch a city bus one time".

We were passed by a guy on a bicycle going up the East Hill of Kent in Washington state, we were in a Winnabago with a 319. Man was that slow.

Michael

[Lexxani]

I reused my origional head bolts on my 450SL-C when I rebuilt it...So far so good. I carefully inspected the bolts for irregularity and they were spot on.

[t walgamuth]

The head bolts of that era were designed to be reused. They are not SBC quality.

[kalpol]

Folks, thanks for the responses, they're going right back in.

[t walgamuth]

When removing those large allens be sure to clean the pocket out so you get a good fit full depth, then clean the threads and the threads in the block with a tap and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

[ja17]

Hello,

Been re-using my head bolts for over 40 years now and never had a problem. High quality German Steel you know. Yes add up the price of a new set of head bolts and a few other minor items and you may as well just go out an buy another used MB instead and save yourself the trouble.

[Mike D]

While the head bolts are perfectly fine to re-use IF they are in good shape make SURE you check them out.

Replace any with deep pitting and chuck any whose threads look "sharpened". Examine the bolt heads closely where they meet the shaft. This is where they will usually snap.