What type of socket to remove headbolts?

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

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n2x4
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What type of socket to remove headbolts?

Post by n2x4 »

This is probably a dumb question, but I'm going to start tearing apart my first motor.

What socket do you use to get the head bolts off? They look like they're some star pattern.

Help?
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Post by vrg3 »

Use a regular 12-point socket. 14mm, I believe.
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Post by asc_up »

That's correct.
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IronMonkeyL255
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Post by IronMonkeyL255 »

Yup. 12-point 14mm.

I thought it would be a bit larger, but it's just a 14mm.
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Blackbart
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Post by Blackbart »

And a pipe on the wrench handle :lol:
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Post by dropdfocus »

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Exactly what Frank said... Just a breaker bar alone will not give you enough leverage to move them. The bolts will make some funky creeking noises, but don't worry about it. Just continue to work them loose a tug at a time.
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Post by evolutionmovement »

I hope you have the engine in the car - popping them on a stand is an aggravating exercise.
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Post by dropdfocus »

I did my work on a heavy duty engine stand. I really wasn't that bad once I added the piece of tubing to the end of the breaker bar. On the stand I had much more leverage to work on the heads & the head bolts.
Jason
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Post by Legacy777 »

Yeah I did mine on a stand as well. They do make some funky noises, but they come out.
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Post by evolutionmovement »

How did you keep the stand on the ground? I had a hell of a gymnastics routine trying to hold it down by standing on it while contorting myself to reach the pipe. Finally several minutes with an 18V impact loosened them enough for me to wrangle them off.
Midnight in a Perfect World on Amazon or order anywhere. The first book in a quartet chronicling the rise of a man from angry criminal to philanthropist. Midnight... is a distopic noirish novel featuring 'Duchess', a modified 1990 Subaru Legacy wagon.
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Post by dropdfocus »

The engine stand was setup with the legs/caster wheels in an H pattern to allow for better stability.

It looks like this: |---|
Jason
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Perrin LCP, WRX & H6 brakes, S/S lines, Cusco H-brace & RSTB, AGX's, Progress springs, SimplySubie fender braces
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Post by asc_up »

Hahaha my method was a little different, because my shortblock was trashed and I was just trying to get the heads off.

I removed the intake manifold and stood on the block (with the engine out of my car) and just used a giant breaker bar. Haha.
-Aaron

2000 Audi S4 - 2.7L Twin-turbo, 6 Speed

[quote="evolutionmovement"]It was me. And those are my balls. Happy Sunday![/quote]
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