Head bolts too tight?

[jon3111mjk]

This weekend I installed a rebuild cylinder head on my '98 Jetta. I lightly oiled the threads and shoulders of the head bolts and torqued to 30 then 44 ft lbs, then 90 degrees, all seemed to be going well. Then, on the second 90 degree turn several of the bolts seemed to give slightly as I completed the turn. Is this normal for a torque to yield bolt or would it seem to indicate some kind of failure?

 

[jasonsp6]

Did you use new head bolts?

 

[jon3111mjk]

Yes indeed!

 

[sullyTDI]

I would say it is normal from my experience, I am still new to the "Stretch Bolts" on these VW's so please don't take what I say as the gospel.. Just a point of information.

 

[moosejaw]

This is why I prefer to use studs everywhere I can when rebuilding a motor. Damn TTY are too easy to foul up (in my experience), and studs are re-usable.

For the OP, did you use a break-away torque wrench or a dial-indicating one. It makes a difference in the accuracy of the tool.