#8 Stud moving?
 

I recently changed my head gasket after a radiator failure and hot engine. I have a Snyder's 5.5 head with .050 removed. I have #8 studs, and I removed them, cleaned them up and replaced with anti seize on the lower threads. I had difficulty getting #8 stud to loosen, and decided to leave it alone and work around it. After replacing the head, re torqueing 5-6 times over 450 miles, I seem to continue getting the #8 nut to move a little before it holds at 60#. Should I drain my coolant, and try and double nut the stud to see if I can tighten it up? If I do that will I need to loosen all the other nuts that are holding 60# just fine? Or, can I continue to check and give it more time. Thanks

Re: #8 Stud moving?
 

I wouldn't think the movement is caused by the stud turning, rather I think it may be stretching? All studs are not what they seem to be. I wouldn't loosen the others but it wouldn't hurt anything either.

Re: #8 Stud moving?
 

If #8 is holding now I would leave it alone. How many more times are you going to re-torque? The threads in the block could be pulling out?

Re: #8 Stud moving?
 

I was now re-torqueing only because there seemed to be some movement before reaching 60# on that number 8. It does appear that I have a couple threads above the nut.

Re: #8 Stud moving?
 

sometimes you have to know when to stop. If it appears tight I would leave it alone. If it is getting loose then maybe you are pulling the threads in the block, which then a helicoil repair will be necessary. Sometimes some folks get a little overboard on the torquing. I do it 3 times following a head gasket R/R/surface and leave it alone.
Larry Shepard

Re: #8 Stud moving?
 

55# is all that I use