Creaking head bolts while torquing

Is this normal? I'm installing heads on a 3.4 and the outter most short bolts creak and are VERY hard to torque. The inner most turn smooth and torque fine, but do not seem very tight.

Are you re-using the original head bolts or new? These are supposed to be TTY.

Are the threads clean and lubricated? (PST Sealant also lubricates for assembly.)

Yes, they are new bolts. I did not lubricate or use any sealant on them. I actually removed them and purchased another set because I'm not confident they were correct.

I did have the heads resurfaced and wonder if they are bottoming out. It's like they don't want to turn anymore.

TTY bolts have an initial torque setting then a torque angle meter is used for the final tightening, also did you compare the old to new lengths, I doubt the heads were resurfaced enough to cause bottoming, but remove a problem bolt measure the depth of the hole and compare it to the length of the bolt.

Correct. When setting the additional 95 degree angle, it began creaking and did not want to turn. I got it turned but it took all I had and I was afraid I was going to snap the bolt. I don't think it should be like that.

I'm going to try measuring them later. I'm also going to try grinding one of the old bolts to act as a thread chaser.

Ha ha :)

I used an old head bolt and grinded a spot on both sides to clean up the threads. Then used a thread sealant on them to help lubricate. They went in great this time around!