Rocker arm Bolt torque

Tiny
ALAN POSEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
The car listed above is a Gtp SC 3800. I just replaced head gaskets on this car and I used new head bolts but I couldn't find any new rocker arm bolts. I was told by many people that I could reuse the old bolts if I cleaned them with wire brush and apply assembly lube to the threads and torque to 11 ft pounds and they would be fine, so that's what I did, but i'm worried about the bolts backing out later on because when I torqued them they didn't tight up much past hand tight. That seems too loose to me, and I was told not to use thread lock, not even removable thread lock. Any info would be appreciated.
Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 3:40 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,081 POSTS
Well, you had half of the torque value and wrong info on the lube. You should use new bolts because these are a stretch type bolt but that's your choice. Then you clean the threads and be sure they are oil free. Then each one gets a dab of High Temperature Red threadlocker GM # 12345493 or Permatex 27200.
Not high strength high temperature red as it's different. You want only the high temperature product.
Next you torque each one to 11 ft lb. Then each gets 90 degrees additional torque.

Because you applied lube you are going to need to remove all of that first. Brake clean will do that if you can use cotton swabs first to get most of it out.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
ALAN POSEY
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  • 15 POSTS
Thank you sir!
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,081 POSTS
You are welcome. Please return anytime with your automotive questions.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
ALAN POSEY
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Working on the same car listed above. I am finished with head gasket and replacing radiator, car is running great now, but previously I had replaced all four brake calipers, and had bled all four calipers and got all fluid and no air and I assumed I had brakes so I pursued replacing head gaskets and radiator. Now the car is back running I realized I still don't have brakes. I have been reading that there is a bleeder screw on the ABS module but I can't find one anywhere. How do I need to bleed the brakes on this car?
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,081 POSTS
See other reply please.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 8:25 PM

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