Headbolts

[MerlinGTI 3]

Are the hex and torx headbolts interchangeable?

 

I ask as I have a nice new set of torx ones, the old ones in the engine im re-bulding are hex jobbies tho.

 

I have a feeling I know the answer

[welshpug 1,666]

yes.

[MerlinGTI 3]

Yes, they are interchangable? I wasnt expecting that!

 

Thanks WP

[welshpug 1,666]

yeah, last cylinder head I swapped on an 8v XU were different pattern, no issues at all that I remember (bar that there wasn't a spacer above the water pump previously, but a shortened bolt!)

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Don;t forget the Torque settings are different on these too

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

The hex head headbolts were used on very early GTI Xu engines & are directly interchangable with later Torx ones but the spacer by the water pump needs adding & they use a different torque method.

 

The Hex headbolts were re-torqued aftr running the engine until the cooling fan cut in & left for a couple of hours afterwards before doing this.

 

Graham.

[MerlinGTI 3]

Super helpful replys ta gents, appreacited.

 

So diff tourque setting (will look in haynes ) and add the spacer.

IIRC the spacer is 2 part ( a big one and a little one ?) Ive got those on another donor engine I think.

 

Cheers

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

IIRC the spacer is 2 part ( a big one and a little one ?)

Yeah, same 8mm spacer under all bolts with an additional 20mm spacer under the bolt above the water pump.

 

Graham.