Renix 4.0 head bolt options

[Nacho-1990]

I'm looking for replacement head bolts for my 1990 4.0 XJ, what I pulled out were 7 short and 7 of the studded bolts, all regular hex bolt. I found this set on Summit https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-es71102/overview/ which I assume will work, but they have two other screws I'm not really sure what to do with (other then they go somewhere under the cover) Also these are 12 point instead of 6. I'm assuming these are for a HO, but they should work fine with a Renix right?

 

[Royal Nonesuch]

When I did the headgasket on my 1988 Renix XJ I had a bit of a time tracking down a set as well. I finally went with this kit (#chbs-1128) from headbolt.com and I can confirm they are seven long/seven short and are working great in my Jeep.

The are 12pt 1/2" and I will warn you, for some reason I had a hell of a time finding a 1/2drive, 1/2" 12pt deep socket that fit over the taller studded bolts (they all necked down narrower inside the socket). Strange, I know - maybe if you have SnapOn money things will be different . I finally found a 3/8"drive that fit and used an adapter to fit it on a 1/2" torque wrench.

Make sure to torque them in the proper sequence and use some of that special voodoo thread sealant on the front-most passenger side bolt. :guitar:

 

[Ecomike]

Great advice, Many of us have used headbolts.com, in fact it was the only place I could find Renix head bolts. I did mine 9 years ago on the 89, still running. I never tried a 1/2" deep socket, don't have any, I used the 3/8" one I have used for decades, off brand. Why 12 point? I too used a 1/2" torque wrench from Harbor Freight.

I thought that bolt was on the drivers side front, near the manifolds???

"and use some of that special voodoo thread sealant on the front-most passenger side bolt. "

When I did the headgasket on my 1988 Renix XJ I had a bit of a time tracking down a set as well. I finally went with this kit (#chbs-1128) from headbolt.com and I can confirm they are seven long/seven short and are working great in my Jeep.

The are 12pt 1/2" and I will warn you, for some reason I had a hell of a time finding a 1/2drive, 1/2" 12pt deep socket that fit over the taller studded bolts (they all necked down narrower inside the socket). Strange, I know - maybe if you have SnapOn money things will be different . I finally found a 3/8"drive that fit and used an adapter to fit it on a 1/2" torque wrench.

Make sure to torque them in the proper sequence and use some of that special voodoo thread sealant on the front-most passenger side bolt. :guitar:

 

[Royal Nonesuch]

Great advice, Many of us have used headbolts.com, in fact it was the only place I could find Renix head bolts. I did mine 9 years ago on the 89, still running. I never tried a 1/2" deep socket, don't have any, I used the 3/8" one I have used for decades, off brand. Why 12 point? I too used a 1/2" torque wrench from Harbor Freight.

I thought that bolt was on the drivers side front, near the manifolds???

"and use some of that special voodoo thread sealant on the front-most passenger side bolt. "

Whoops yeah sorry, it's bolt 11 front drivers side that wants sealant and a slightly lower torque, my mistake.

My 3/8" torque wrench didn't go high enough for the final sequence so that's why I was looking for a 1/2"drive socket.

The best tip I can offer for the job is two pieces of threaded rod in two of the block bolt holes, to keep the gasket aligned while you get the head on. Just make sure they're long enough to unscrew them when the head is on!

 

[Ecomike]

There is also a trick to getting the rear driver's side head bolt in. I installed mine before lowering the head, but I duct taped it so the threads did show on the bottom during the lowering part. Once the head is in the firewall will not let you install the back bolt.

 

[Dragonlich1961]

I did a head gasket on mine because it was easier then drilling out the broken exhaust bolt behind 6. I had a low mileage engine to grab my head from. I took and cut off any extra thread not needed for the ground strap. It helped a bit. Cut the top side, not the block side. Then tape the rest.