question on what to replace when doing head gasket swap...

[amolao]

How is going...??

getting ready to swap my head gasket (sr20de). The 10 head main caps should be the only ones that need replacement with new ones but what about the other 4 bolts (sub bolts and outside head bolts), they also need to be replaced....??

thanks

[homeslicej2]

I read through the FSM for the S14 SR20DET. The manual does not mention replacing them. It only states to remove them. Then after the manual goes through several more steps (for removing other stuff) and gives instructions on how to determine if the head bolts are re-usable (says you can re-use them as long as the bolts don't exceed 158.2mm or 6.23in). After it gives the proper install procedure and torque specs for the head bolts, it only states "Install cylinder head outside bolts and inner sub-bolts". It doesn't even give torque specs for those four. So, I don't think they need to be replaced, but again, this is from the S14 SR20DET FSM. I don't think an SR20DE would be different. Might check out the sentra forums?

[Hijacker]

The only bolts that need replacing are the head bolts. They're torque to yield. The supplementary bolts aren't, so you can re-use them.

[amolao]

Thanks guys.....I have a better plan now before starting the disassembling of the engine.

I have some other specific questions related to this but I will post them separately for everybodies benefit...