Date:         Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:40:30 -0400
Reply-To:     lnjhogue@EASTLINK.CA
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Hogue <lnjhogue@EASTLINK.CA>
Subject:      Re: My 2 cents on head leaks and rubber studs
In-Reply-To:  <265235.3565.qm@web38911.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The head studs stretch, really stretch when the engine heats up and coos down, which is almost an uncountable amount of times in the life of an engine. The aluminum and steel expands at WAY different rates, explaining why the studs eventually relax and are just too long especally after an engine has been over heated, (probably a few times)
Jeff.
----- Original Message -----
From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 3:20 pm
Subject: My 2 cents on head leaks and rubber studs

> I am not so sure about just how much of a problem this
> stretching stud idea is.   First of all when does all
> this stretching occur.   I think it is a bit of a
> stretch to say that the stud acts like a spring.
> I think the stretch occurs when you torque the head
> down or perhaps when you over torque.   I agree it is
> a good idea to replace studs and nuts when the threads
> look suspect or perhaps with a major rebuild but for a
> simple head leak, keep it simple.   If it leaks again
> it is more likely to be caused by poor installation
> than stretching studs.  Gary
>
>
> Date:    Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:10:35 +0000
> From:    Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
> Subject: Re: My 2 cents on head leaks. Old hash I'm
> sure...
>
> I have mentioned the studs on many occasions. Anytime
> you have internal
> head gaskets leaks, the initial cause was the stud
> failing to hold the
> heads down under load. To simply replace gaskets or
> heads without
> addressing the stud failure is just asking for a
> repeat. The nuts should
> always be replaced and new studs should be considered.
> Not only can they
> corrode and break from stresses they are designed to
> act as springs. And
> like a pen spring, once it is over extended they will
> not return to
> their original state. Proper lubrication of the
> threads and a suitable
> sealant on the nut flange is important to obtaining
> the proper pre-load.
>
> Dennis
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jeff Hogue
> Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:49 am
> Subject: My 2 cents on head leaks. Old hash I'm
> sure...
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> > I too have rebuilt/resealed many (maybe hundreds) of
> boxer
> > engines over the past 23 years. I don't hear any
> talk about the
> > head studs being stretched. The heads are held to
> the block with
> > very little torque, and the hardware integrity is
> very
> > important. Just compare a new stud with a previously
> used one,
> > maybe on that has been torqued 2, 3, 4 or more times
> and it's
> > obvious that they do stretch. Also, sealer on these
> head gaskets
> > is very important, I use perm-a-tex ultra grey and
> have never
> > had a problem. Ever. But be very careful not to use
> too much.
> > This is not a case of lot is good, more is better
> and too much
> > is just right, like my fathers view on horsepower.
> On the top of
> > the block I use the same ultra grey. Be absolutely
> certain to
> > clean, clean, clean the sealing surfaces, use
> alcohol base
> > cleaner or something that won't leave a residue.
> >
> > I'm sure this has been bounced around plenty, so
> forgive me for
> > the broken record... That's my 2 cents on the leking
> head gasket
> > talk that seams to haunt the list.
> > Jeff Hogue
> > 84 Westy
> > 87 Syncro Doka
> > 8? Iltis Diesel
> > 03 Jetta TDi Wagon
> > 90 son
> > 94 daughter
> > 62 wife.....
> >
>
>
>
>
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