Head bolts on a 1969 250

[groomerguy]

I'm getting close to taking the head off the engine in our 1969 snowmobile trail grooming machine. I was wondering if anyone has had problems getting the head bolts out of something this old. I'm almost positive the head has never been off. I'm wondering about breaking them or if there is any techniques I should use to help get them out.
Should I re-use the bolts since they are so old? Where would I get new ones if I should be replacing them?

I'm also going to add a header. The doghouse gets plenty hot and is right next to your legs. Since the unit sits for 9 months of the year would header wrap cause issues? Rust? Corrosion? I've never used if before and I don't want to shorten the life of the header. I can always add more heat reflective material inside the doghouse.

Thanks for the help.
Mel

 

[addo]

Your best bet for added efficiency and heat control in the exhaust, would be trial-fitting some headers - then sending them off for a Jet-Hot style coating. Even the inside of header pipes need coating for best results.

 

[rbohm]

8) as for the head bolts, replacements are available from classicinlines, as are head studs if you choose to go that route instead. you can reuse the stock head bolts with no problem, just remember to lube the threads and the underside of the bolt head with oil. as for getting them out, again there should be no problem as head bolts rarely rust in the block.

 

[flatford6]

I had one engine where the center head bolt (the one that goes through the center exhaust port) rusted up solid in the head. All the others came out eventually and the head was removed by rotating it head bolt and all round and round until the bolt unscrewed from the block. The bolt was finally removed with some difficulty in a press. Consequently, I always drill out that head bolt hole in the head bigger 1 sixteenth inch before putting these engines together..

 

[aahsac]

If you are going back in with the old head bolts I would chase the threads in the block. I took the point off and old tap (7/16 coarse i think) so I could bottom it out. Amazing the stuff that had accumulated in the threads.

 

[rbohm]

If you are going back in with the old head bolts I would chase the threads in the block. I took the point off and old tap (7/16 coarse i think) so I could bottom it out. Amazing the stuff that had accumulated in the threads.

8) this is a good idea anytime, even if you are using new head bolts in a new block, let alone used bolts in a used block.

 

[groomerguy]

All great info. Thanks folks. I'll bet that stuck head bolt was fun. Watching that head spin around to get it out would be amusing.
Three years ago I had to drill out 3 of the exhaust manifold bolts. That rear one was no fun!