Tuning tip: Why special cylinder head screws are indispensable!

Reading time 4 Min.

When it comes to engine tuning, it's often the little things that make a big difference - and that's where it stands Cylinder head bolts at the top of the list. Why? Well, in a tuned engine, especially one with machined cylinder head and other hardware changes, the screws are real superheroes. The cylinder head screws installed ex works are designed for everyday use and the standard performance of the engine. A Chiptuning As a rule, you can easily endure it. But once you enter the world of Hardware tuning immerse yourself, the rules of the game change. More power means higher pressure and higher temperatures in the engine - and this is exactly where special ones show Cylinder head bolts their strength.

Special cylinder head screws

The screws are, so to speak, the bodyguards for the engine. They are made of more resistant materials, such as special ones alloys with chromium, molybdenum or vanadium. The materials provide higher tensile strength and can therefore withstand the extreme conditions in the increased performance engine. The advantages? Quite simply: a more stable “roof” for the combustion chambers. Specific screws hold the cylinder head more firmly on the engine block, which is particularly important at higher combustion pressures, as usually occurs in tuned engines. They also do better with thermal Expansions - a must when things get hot under the hood.

The stretch property is important!

And one thing to keep in mind too is this elongation property of the screws. Heavy-duty screws are often designed to bend slightly under load stretch and again pull together which ensures a consistent clamping force even when the motor heats up and then cools down again. When it comes to assembly, however, precision is the be-all and end-all. It's not just about the screws to tighten, it's about the right tightening torque, the correct one Suit order and often also about the use of special ones lubricant. This way you can reduce friction and ensure even tension.

Cylinder head screws are important for tuning!

In short, if you invest in a tuned engine, don't forget the little heroes - the cylinder head bolts. They are the glue that holds your high-performance parts together and ensures that your engine not only achieves the additional power, but also reliably maintains it. Upgrading to specialty cylinder head bolts is a smart decision to maximize the life and performance of your tuned engine.

Tightening torque

• How many Nm should cylinder head bolts be tightened with? The tightening torque for cylinder head screws varies depending on the engine and screw type. Cylinder head screws are generally tightened with 30 or 40 Nm. However, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's specific instructions as these values ​​can vary.

Tightening cylinder head screws

• Can and should you tighten cylinder head screws? Yes, it is often recommended to tighten cylinder head screws after an initial operating phase (e.g. after approx. 500 km). Some engine repairers even tighten them immediately after the first test run. This helps optimize surface pressure and ensures everything remains properly sealed.

Replacing cylinder head bolts

• Why do cylinder head screws need to be replaced? Tightening the cylinder head screws creates surface pressure that is crucial for a perfect seal. Since the screws are subjected to high stress during the tightening process, their integrity can be compromised, which would reduce the quality of the surface pressure if reused.

Torque values ​​for

• What torque values ​​apply to different cylinder head screws? There are specific torque values ​​for different sizes of cylinder screws. For example:
• M10 (1,50 mm thread pitch): 62,0 Nm
• M12 (1,75 mm thread pitch): 108 Nm
• M16 (2,00 mm thread pitch): 262 Nm
• M20 (2,50 mm thread pitch): 521 Nm
• These values ​​are guidelines and may vary depending on the application.

Reuse of cylinder head screws

• Why can't cylinder head screws be reused? When reusing cylinder head bolts, achieving the correct tightening torque is uncertain and there is a risk of the bolts breaking. Therefore, they should not be reused after one use.

Solve order

• In which order should cylinder head bolts be loosened? When loosening the cylinder head screws, you should proceed from the outside to the inside. You typically start in a corner, perhaps at the bottom left, to ensure even relaxation.

Over-tightening the cylinder head

• What happens if you tighten the cylinder head too tight? Over-tightening the cylinder head bolts can cause serious problems such as thread stripping. This can compromise the integrity of the cylinder head and engine block.

Features

• Are cylinder head screws expansion screws? Yes, many are expansion screws. They are tightened using a specific torque and angular method, resulting in controlled stretching. This process is often repeated to achieve the optimal tension.

We hope that you have received our information report on the topic / term Cylinder head bolts (further designations / keywords are: Head Bolts, Cylinder Head Bolts, Cylinder Cover Bolts, Cylinder Head Studs, Engine Block Bolts, Cylinder Cover Bolts) liked. Our goal is to be the largest German-language tuning dictionary (Tuning Wikipedia) to create. You can see how far we have come HERE . see

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