Quote:
Originally posted by TonyFromWestOz
The Warden,
Why would you replace the head bolts with studs and nuts??
I would believe that bolts, having one thread, would be more reliable and able to withstand pressure better than studs and nuts (with 2 sets of threads).
If it is due to factory bolts having a predertermined "stretch" and studs not, then just buy bolts which do not have the "stretch".
Please explain your logic.
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Are there bolts out there that do not have the "stretch" and are capable of torquing to the same specs and holding the same pressure that the factory bolts can handle?
Maybe the M-B engines are different, but most American-built diesels use torque-to-yield bolts that are only good one time. The stud setup doesn't have that limitation, and as a result allows a person to safely put more torque on the nut, allowing for more clamping force on the head gasket. Most of the truck diesel guys who are increasing their boost pressure go to this setup for this reason. Heck, some people with the 6.9l IH diesel (like what's in my truck) replace their bolts with studs just to keep the head gaskets from blowing.
I would be doing this myself, but with a V-8 engine a stud installation requires that the engine be removed from the vehicle, and I'm not prepared for that...
