need help on my heads

Topic: need help on my heads (Read 1908 times) previous topic - next topic

need help on my heads

January 15, 2014, 04:25:32 PM

trying to replace the head gasket on my TC. Still have the 2.3, I just went all over town to try and find the right socket that I need to remove the head bolts, and after 4 stores I finally found a place that has what I need. Went to go try out the new socket and what i thought was it was wrong. They appere to be torx heads for the bolt, and the torx socket that i bought doesnt come close to even working. I put a 9/16 6 point socket on the bolts and its a perfect fit but the head is not a normal hex style bolt. I need help trying to figure out how to get the head bolts out with breaking any of the bolts. let me know if you know of any ideas or have done this before.

need help on my heads

Reply #1 – January 15, 2014, 04:33:34 PM

Take a picture and post it here bud. That'll be the first step.

need help on my heads

Reply #2 – January 15, 2014, 05:05:16 PM

sorry if its a little blury but thats what the head bolts look like

need help on my heads

Reply #3 – January 15, 2014, 06:39:13 PM

12-point socket

need help on my heads

Reply #4 – January 15, 2014, 06:58:42 PM

Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack;427378

12-point socket

Yep. I agree.

need help on my heads

Reply #5 – January 15, 2014, 07:28:03 PM

12pt it is. Run to harbor freight. Buy sockets. Problem solved.

need help on my heads

Reply #6 – January 15, 2014, 09:03:34 PM

WAIT! Don't use cheap sockets on head bolts. Sometimes head bolts can be very tight, and you'll either bust the socket or round the nubs off. Figure out what size it is, and go get a craftsman or whatever your brand-o-choice is. If you can't afford the whole set, just buy the one you need, they sell 'em individually.

Granted, the 2.3's usually aren't too tight, I just remember in my youth wreaking havoc on several sockets and bolts using cheap-o tools. I have never used Harbor Freight sockets, but if they are like the rest of their tools I have bought, they are only good for light use.

need help on my heads

Reply #7 – January 15, 2014, 09:41:30 PM

if I remember correctly, those are 13mm 12 point. but it has been a while it could be a 14mm

need help on my heads

Reply #8 – January 15, 2014, 09:59:22 PM

12x13

need help on my heads

Reply #9 – January 15, 2014, 10:00:04 PM

???

need help on my heads

Reply #10 – January 15, 2014, 10:23:56 PM

I only use harbor freight tools. I can count on one hand how many sockets I've broken in 5 years. my mechanic buddy was talking on my 1/4 socket set, went and pulled his out and broke it while I finished the rest of the bolts off. there are some that are garbage, sure. but there are some id put up against any other tool. they've come a long way in the past couple years.

need help on my heads

Reply #11 – January 16, 2014, 05:12:40 AM

Cougar XR is 100% correct on everything but the tightness of those bolts. Those head bolts are extreamly tight (90 FT-LBS) Better use a good socket. If you round off one of those bolt heads GAME OVER. Go cheap and you are SCREWED!! As a professional mechanic i only buy QUALITY TOOLS. Just me the tool issue is a personal choice.

Also normally i do not re-use those bolts even though you can. Buy the FORD bolts from the DEALER. TTY design and they work very well. Just me thought i would help as those bolts can be NASTY if you round them off. Good luck

need help on my heads

Reply #12 – January 16, 2014, 05:44:21 AM

Quote from: Haystack;427393

I only use harbor freight tools. I can count on one hand how many sockets I've broken in 5 years. my mechanic buddy was talking on my 1/4 socket set, went and pulled his out and broke it while I finished the rest of the bolts off. there are some that are garbage, sure. but there are some id put up against any other tool. they've come a long way in the past couple years.

As a pro, I need 2 hands to count how many tools I break in the last 5 DAYS. Ain't no thing though, I've got 2 and Snappy shows up every Wednesday with his warranty, and swaps them out for me. You simply cannot imagine the difference in duty cycle and/or workload a pro puts on his tools compared to the average home mechanic. It's a completely different world. And it never ends, I've realized that I'm going to have a close relationship with my Snap-on rep until the blessed day I retire, because a pro never has enough tools, and they will always break.

need help on my heads

Reply #13 – January 16, 2014, 06:19:51 AM

Foe you are correct. And some tools are not offered by places like Harbor Freight. Specialty tools dealer tools and tools required by the manufacturer. Example to be an authorized body shop for lets say Mercedes you need there welder. 18 GRAND. Then BMW has theres and yo have to have that ETC!! It most likely is made by MILLER but if it is not an authorized tool NO DICE. That is why fixing cars is so costly. Between the specialty tools AC regs and EPA rules it is a c to stay in business. As a FORD tech you know first hand what i am talking about. And to have a dealer certification you better have those specialty tools on PREM. Cheap tools NOT ME. I use my tools every day . Buit as i say it is a personal choice and i am not judging anyone on there choice!!

Example if you dare touch a schrader valve or remove a cap from an ac line better have a licensed tech doing it. Better have a reclaimer that is certified and without all the proper tools on prem and you get caught the fines are GIGANTIC. The home mechanic will dump the system and go on happily ever after. But as a shop if someone drops a dime we are screwed. This is gthe business we are in and it is complicated and costly. Just ask my accountant.