mkawski

Hi,

I have a 1985 Jeep Cherokee, 2.5L 4cylinder manual. Has a AMC 2.5L I think AMC150 engine in it. Currently not running

So I went through and did a head gasket / cylinder head replacement a while ago, but unfortunately after a highway test drive there was coolant leaking out the head. I might have not placed the gasket on precisely enough, or possibly the issue is with the bolts.

So usually you are supposed to replace bolts when taking out the cylinder head, especially for newer torque to yield bolts. The problem was that I was unable to find a replacement set of cylinder head bolts when I did the original work, for a 1985 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L 4cylinder manual. The bolts are discontinued, according to all the many places I called.

I bought a set from headbolts.com, but they mailed me someone else's package for a 4.0L engine not a 2.5L. Headbolts.com insisted they would work fine interchangeably, but the manufacturer ARP said they would not work at all.


I decided to just use the original bolts. Well we lost one of the original bolts (searched for it FOREVER and poof it was just gone), so I used a replacement of one of the new ones (for the 4.0L engine).

Also - none of those bolts had the extended part with threads that goes above the head of the bolt (I don't know what that's called, a head stud??), while the original ones had like 4 to mount things onto (like air cleaner etc).


Anyways, advice on where to find obscure discontinued bolts? And how to know if they are even usable, not warped/stretched out from too many times of being torqued down and used?

Head Bolts - Originally ordered form here: http://headbolts.com/store/p/188-cyl...chbs-1224.html
seems sketchy though, why would they have it and no one else.. and they already messed up once.
Allied Motor Parts - Look okay but the wrong years.. would that matter? I think they are supposed to be 7/16" not 1/2" but idk if that matters too..
http://www.alliedmotorparts.com/92-9...head-3398.html

TLDR: Help me find replacement cylinder head bolts for 85 cherokee 2.5L 4cylinder engine

DFlintstone

Besides a Junk yard, you might phone "only Jeep parts" .com and see what they have to say. Drivel deleted.

Jeep Driver

You have the correct head bolts.

2.5 and 4.0 share many of the same parts, including the head bolts.

Every 2.5 head is exactly the same from '86 through '06.......except the '84 which used the 7/16 bolts. It would not be unusual for you to have a '85 with a leftover '84 engine.

'86 and up does use the bolts outside the VC with the studs, the '84-'85 does not. You have the correct bolts.........use them.

If you did not the first time..........listen closely-

Take two of your old bolts, longest of them, cut the heads off just below the head, grind the cut at a bevel so you have a nice rounded end, no sharp edges.
Make certain your threads are clean, thread the bolts into the holes on the right side of the block (facing the front), one in the furthest rear and one in the front. Those two bolts will be used as setting dowels. Once the bolts are in place, lay your gasket in place then set the head in place. Now, thread all your other bolts in place, do not tighten, then remove your two setting studs/dowels and replace with bolts. Now your head and gasket are in alignment.

BTW, some will tell you to oil your threads, others will tell you not to. I oil my threads. This is where a good torque wrench matters, make certain you torque every bolt to the correct lbs and in the correct order.

#1 bolt, at the water pocket, to the right of the thermo housing...you need to use sealant and not oil on the threads.

BlueRidgeMark

Yes, and rent it if you have to. Harbor Freight is not a place to get a torque wrench.

I'm on another vehicle forum where various members were discussing torque wrenches. One guy had access to a testing shop and had his HF wrench checked. IIIRC it was something like 25% out of spec. He checked his Snap-On and it was within 1%.

A good torque wrench matters.