Questions on a headgasket...

[subasteve92]

Ok so im starting my project on my 92 legacy. I am working on replacing the headgasket.
Well I have taken off intake, turbo, all vacuum lines, altenator, etc. I havnt taken off the timing belt cover,
Crank pulley, and the power steering.

But after taking off the intake manifold, I took of the valve cover to check how things look.
Now I was looking at the head bolts and was wondering how the head bolts come off. Is there anything
Holding them from coming out?
When I went to try and losen one it felt like it was a compression bolt.
When it would losen, it would just tighten right back up.
Someone please help me on tips with those bolts.

[AWD_addict]

Take off the timing belt before you start messing with the head bolts. For the head bolts use a socket with the correct number of points, a breaker bar and a mallet. Also mind the order you loosen them in.

[cj91legss]

if you're loosening the bolt and it seems to tighten up, there's probably alot of corrosion on the head bolt threads.

So when it starts to get harder to loosen the bolt, thread it back in some and try again. Just keep repeating the process. I don't think there's enough room to spray anything in the hole on the threads. If you have the engine on a stand, you could rotate the motor and spray some sort of lubricant in the bolt hole.

[Legacy777]

I'll second the comment, make sure you use a 12-point socket on the head bolts.

[subasteve92]

ok well its not tightening up as i loosen it...it spins back into its place as i
pull the the ratchet back to try and loosen it more.
but i supposed that one of the pulleys on the end of the timing belt are the reason for that.
correct me if im wrong

[Legacy777]

For loosening the head bolts? You just need a bigger cheater bar. The timing belt shouldn't cause you any issues with at least loosening the head bolts. However, I'd still suggest you remove the timing belt before messing with the heads.

[cj91legss]

For loosening the head bolts? You just need a bigger cheater bar. The timing belt shouldn't cause you any issues with at least loosening the head bolts. However, I'd still suggest you remove the timing belt before messing with the heads.

As he said, if you don't remove the timing belt, as you loosen the head bolts the tension from the belt will slowly seperate the head from the block and if you're not ready or not paying attention you could potentially drop/damage the head.....then your head gasket job turns out to be more machine work or shopping for a new head

[mrmcq]

I used a 3/8" breaker bar and a 1" combo wrench to break my head bolts loose on my non-turbo. A Couple were a PITA but not too bad.