[Vwdiesel] questions about re-using stretched bolts

[Area31 Research Facility]

Loren,

My question was meant to describe some bolts of unknown origin that you
might obtain from ebay or some other source that come without an engine
attached.  Is there a different 'behaviour' during tightening for example
that might indicate that the steel of the bolt was already stressed out?

Rob


----- Original Message -----
From: <LBaird119 at aol.com>
To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] questions about re-using stretched bolts


> >I was wondering how a mechanic might know if the head or  rod bolts he
has
> >have been used and stretched before when using them in an engine
> >build/re-build.
>
>   If it's been assembled completely then there has been stretch.  If it's
> been broken in and retorqued then you can consider them "used."  On
> rod bolts I've seen a couple claims:  That all VW's use them, and that
> the diesels don't.  It seems the diesels don't use them on the rods.
> In conversations with shops, etc.  most claim I need to replace the rod
> bolts until I reiterate that it's a diesel then there's a pause and "oh,
then
>
> you don't need to then."
>   On reuse...  A friend owns his own repair shop.  He's reused hundreds
> of heads worth of head bolts and has never had one come back or fail.
> Not that they can't though.  Members here have had them break.  They're
> usually cheap enough that it's not worth the risk.  Now if you own a Ford
> Probe it's about $250 just for the head bolts!  He definitely reused
those!
>     Loren
>
> >
> > >I'd also like to know if one has known used bolts,  can heat treasting
make
> > >them as good as new again to be re-stretched?  I'm thinking of the
process
> > >involving heating in an oven to the correct color and then quenching in
oil
> > >or air and then reheating to temper.
> >
>
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