Creaking head bolts while torquing

[diem]

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.

[BNaylor]

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

[Blue Bowtie]

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

[diem]

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.

[maxwedge]

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.

[diem]

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.

[diem]

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!