i replaced my headgasket in my 1997 civic dx. I was about to finish with the last bolt and it broke. i been looking at different thread and all talk about how to get it out. My question is, can i leave my head without one bolt and if i do what are the consequences for only having 9 head bolts and one broke bolt.

 

...Seriously? Nah, Honda designs and engineers their motors so people can run without a head bolt. Yeah. Right.

Head bolts exist for a reason. There's a shitload of pressure in those cylinders, and a shitload of heat, too. Run without a head bolt, and you'll destroy your head gasket with a quickness. You also might damage your head. Fix it, and don't run the engine until you've fixed it.

And the next time you're doing anything with head bolts, do it right. ALWAYS clean the threads. NEVER re-use OEM head bolts. ALWAYS torque to spec, following pattern. ALWAYS properly lubricate new hardware, as specified in the FSM.

 

Thanks, i was just wondering. But i will take the whole head off and do it right
how it suppost to be.

 

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exactly!

 

No where in the FSM does it say replace the head bolts. Unlike most other manufacturers, I suspect the real stretch is in the aluminum block threads over the steel head bolts.

Many people have stated the OEM head bolts can be reused. Granted, you have to inspect them to be sure they are clean and in good shape. Any little flaw or inconsistency means don't use. And you really really should chase the bolt holes in the block and of course, lubricate the bolt threads and washers like the FSM states.

The FSM shows every bolt that should be replaced every time(and usually aren't like suspension bolts) and the head bolts aren't one of them. At least on the D series motors. I've not read through the B series manuals so they may be different.

 

The FSM doesn't specify to replace them, but if you check them with a stretch gauge, they're almost always out of spec after use and should be replaced. They're also cheap insurance. There's really no reason to re-use them, ever.

 

It is possible to reuse, but just ensure they are not stretched too much, as NAR state,

 

 

I always reuse them on d motor gasket swaps

Never ever had a problem


On a cheap d motor you dont buy all oem parts for a head gasket

Youll end up spending more than the motor or car is worth

 

lol, yea, partially right.

I have reused some, on my car, I planned on spending more time. Not on someone else's car, -EVER-.

Then I went ARP, reusable.

 

The D series crowd balk at replacing them. I look at the aluminum threads in the block. After a couple torqueings, those threads wont hold out to many more. Plus the original bolts I suspect are torque to yield.

Just cheap insurance to swap to studs and have better clamping/sealing.


OP- If you didnt heat cycle the headgasket, then just pull off the head and swap the bolts for studs.