How do I check headstuds

mr911er · 02-10-2013, 08:51 AM

Hi

Just bought an SC

and I am half expecting to have one or more broken headstuds

. At the moment I am putting together a program for dealing with all the other problems on the car - but I need to know if I have to find 3K to replace the cylinder head studs.

As a complete beginner I have some dumb questions.

I am assuming it is just the lower studs that could be the problem since these are Dilavar on my 1982 model. I have ordered two gaskets for the valve covers which I intend to remove.

I shall drain the oil from the engine first - how much of this is there by the way - I understand there are 9 quarts in the oil tank - but how much is in the engine itself?

Once I get the covers off I assume that if a stud falls on the floor its broken - but what if they dont? How do I inspect them? How can I tell if the studs are cracked rather than broken?

Once again any advice is appreciated from a dumb beginner.....

theFONZ · 09:00 AM

While doing my first valve adjustment on my current 911, I just inspected to see if they were all there then gave them a little twist with a 10mm t-handle.

ETA: Did you order just the gaskets, or the kit that comes with new nuts? You will need new nuts. Also, I'd recommend doing other things while you are in there for the first time like new plugs, and other general tune-up items. Our host sells a "tune up kit" that I've used before.

mr911er · 02-10-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theFONZ

While doing my first valve adjustment on my current 911, I just inspected to see if they were all there then gave them a little twist with a 10mm t-handle.

Sounds like they were all ok - I am scared that any little twist will cause them to break - I guess if thats the case then they're knackered anyways....

yelcab1 · 02-10-2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr911er

Sounds like they were all ok - I am scared that any little twist will cause them to break - I guess if thats the case then they're knackered anyways....

if they are healthy, a little twist from you is not going to hurt them.

theFONZ · 02-10-2013, 09:03 AM

Yeah, I was slightly afraid of breaking one, but thought if I do, oh well... it was going out anyway.

mr911er · 02-10-2013, 09:13 AM

Thanks guys

How much oil is there comes out the engine?

nettles503 · nettles503's Garage

Did you read this?

Pelican Technical Article: 911 Valve Adjustment Made Easy

glennspiegler · glennspiegler's Garage

My 3.2 Carrera take 10.75 with filter

James Brown · James Brown's Garage

i think he meant in the engine, just drain it or jack it up one side at a time (use jack stands) you get 3-4 quarts out, use a clean container and put it back in after done WYIT, check the valve lash (uh, here we go).

Nick Triesch · Nick Triesch's Garage

Why in the heck would you give them a little twist anyway? If they are all there and they feel tight, why not just leave them alone? If it ain't broke....

Ronnie's.930 · 02-10-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

Why in the heck would you give them a little twist anyway? If they are all there and they feel tight, why not just leave them alone? If it ain't broke....

How would you know they feel tight if you don't give them a "little twist"?

SCadaddle · 02-10-2013, 03:01 PM

IF they are completely broken they will probably fall out. My 82 SC had one broken and 2 that were failing. Interesting enough, as difficult as the studs were to get out of the case using heat, bees wax and the SnapOn collett tool to break the factory loctite's grip, the 2 that were failing did not snap off like I expected them to do.
That being said, if they aren't broken I wouldn't touch them.

theiceman · 02-10-2013, 03:07 PM

Do NOT give them a little twist. Visually inspect. If they are good leave them. They are relatively speaking low torque anyway.

strikee · strikee's Garage

I think by "giving them a little twist" people mean "apply pressure to see if they turn". You are not trying to shift them, just to see if they spin freely (ie broken). I did this the other day. It was not my intention to turn the head studs, just see if they were broken.

Changing the nuts and gaskets every time you are in there is a waste IMHO. If the gasket looks good and the nuts are in good shape then they should be fine to re-use. Again, did this the other day an no leaks. As I said. IMHO.

Tks
Ed

80-911SC · 80-911SC's Garage

use a magnet .. if they are broken the end will come out .. there are those that say to re torque them but I personally would not try it ...

theFONZ · 02-10-2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

IF they are completely broken they will probably fall out. My 82 SC had one broken and 2 that were failing. Interesting enough, as difficult as the studs were to get out of the case using heat, bees wax and the SnapOn collett tool to break the factory loctite's grip, the 2 that were failing did not snap off like I expected them to do.
That being said, if they aren't broken I wouldn't touch them.

How did you know they were failing?

mr911er · 02-11-2013, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strikee

I think by "giving them a little twist" people mean "apply pressure to see if they turn". You are not trying to shift them, just to see if they spin freely (ie broken). I did this the other day. It was not my intention to turn the head studs, just see if they were broken.

Changing the nuts and gaskets every time you are in there is a waste IMHO. If the gasket looks good and the nuts are in good shape then they should be fine to re-use. Again, did this the other day an no leaks. As I said. IMHO.

Tks
Ed

This was my interpretaion too

mr911er · 02-11-2013, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

use a magnet .. if they are broken the end will come out .. there are those that say to re torque them but I personally would not try it ...

I thought Dilavar was non-magnetic?

mr911er · 02-11-2013, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefonz

how did you know they were failing?

+1

SCadaddle · 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr911er

+1

How did I know they were failing?

Simply because due to the one broken stud that fell out when we removed the lower left valve cover, and noting the regular hex head nut on the stud adjacent to that one....which made perfectly good sense seeing as how we found the starter attached to the transmission with not one but two barrel nuts, and furthermore intrigued by finding a valve keeper collet next to the screen on the oil sump plate (which we removed to have a look around while changing the oil) I decided to tear the engine down to replace all the dilivar studs. Once you get the cylinders off, it was pretty apparent as per the photos.

In the words of the Late Great Harry Pellow: "I have found the mark of the turkey", and to quote Walter Sobchak "Smokey, my friend, you are entering a world of pain."