If one was corroded to the point it wouldn't take 37 ft lbs, what are  the
others like?

Might be a good time to think about a new, used, rebuilt engine.  It was at
this point that I replaced my first engine.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 6:45 AM
Subject: Foggitaboutit, was: HEADSTUD HORROR!

> Jim-
>
> Don't even THINK about "going without" one of your head studs. Not unless
> you are a glutton for punishment. You would never relax and enjoy your van
> again, constantly pinching your sphincter while driving, having to carry
> jacks and tools, wondering when your "little experiment" would fail...
like
> Damocles Sword.
>
> I don't play in the water, but if they are built like the air, you don't
> have to split the case. Follow the advice of the water-cooled brains in
the
> collective.
>
> G. Matthew Bulley
> Bulley-Hewlett
> Corporate Communications Counselors
> www.bulley-hewlett.com
> Cary, NC USA
> 888.468.4880 tollfree
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------
> Get your FREE semi-private E-mail account, use your computer at work.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   James Ruch [SMTP:jpeterruch@HOTMAIL.COM]
> Sent:   Tuesday, December 21, 1999 8:01 AM
> To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:        HEADSTUD HORROR!
>
> Don't read this with the lights out... it could happen to you!
>
> Twenty some hours into a both-sides head gasket job (including resurfacing
> of the old mating surfaces etc)... first side done... going into the final
> torque sequence (anicipating the sound of the engine firing on the first
> attempt)... at the specified 37 ft. lbs.... out of the dark and gloomy
> nothing... PING!! and my wrench goes slack.  I knew it wasn't good.
>
> I had noted that the head studs didn't look so good and that if I ever did
> this job again, I might have to replace them.  One of them (number 2 in
the
> torque sequence) failed.  It broke way down near the crankcase... before
> any
> threads that might be there.
>
> I am thinking about threading the hole in the head that the stud passes
> through and simply plugging it.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1.  What are the chances of my getting away with this "plug plan".
>
> 2.  If I have to replace the stud(s), do I have to split the crankcase?
>
> 3.  "To me -- to me -- why do these things always happen to me?"
>
> Thanks for any help anyone can provide.
>
> Still smiling (amazingly)
>
> Jim Ruch
> '85 Weekender; "Snugvagon"
> Alfred, NY
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>