head bolts ??

[72 rs]

i have a 96 sohc neon with 120,000 miles and was wondering if i should replace the head bolts when i change my head gasket ?? the car also just recently started dying after about 20 min of running, kinda acts like its not getting any fuel or spark (dont know which i havent checked). when u let it sit for a min or two it trys to start( kinda sputters a lil) but dies if you take ur foot off the gas. head gasket related or do i need 2 look somewhere else??

[das2123]

Yes, you need to change the bolts with new ones or they won't seal correctly.

The sputtering problem could be gas, plugs and/or wires. Is your CEL on?

[72 rs]

come and goes when it wants. when it does come on its telling me missfire on cyl. 3

[das2123]

Have you changed your spark plugs with the stock champions and checked your wires and coil pack for cracks?

[72 rs]

i just recently got the car from a freind ( free because of the head gasket) so im going off what she said and experianced.she had new plugs and wire put on it before she gave up on it. i only drove the car twice when i got it and it only did it the 2nd time (drove it about 15 min ). Right now its torn apart in my drive way waiting to be put back together, so i guess ill troubleshoot it more when the heads back on it.

[neon_rt]

Make sure you use new head bolts.
The bolts are of a stretch design and only stretch once.
If you re-use already stretched bolts they will either break or the head will loosen up enought to blow the head gasket within a few hundred miles.