dutchjeep said:
He, if I use loctite on the bolts will I be able to get the bolts loose again if needed?
Yes, you can.
LocTite comes in various "grades"/"strengths" - I don't recall the colours, since I key on numbers, but you select according to your application...
#222 - Low strength. Use for "maintenance" screws (adjustments and such) and most screws under 1/4" nominal diameter. Breaks free with hand tools
#242 - Medium strength. Use on 1/4" and up, may require light heating to break loose.
#272 - Medium strength. Usually breaks with hand tools. Formulated to withstand exhaust heat (don't use anything else, if you want it to work. I tried #222 and #242 once, just to see what happens. Good thing I torqued the bolts properly - I couldn't even find residue of the threadlocker!)
#545 - Hydraulic Sealer. Combines threadlocking and thread sealing in a single compound, breaks with hand tools. Works well on power steering and brake lines.
PST - Thread Sealer. Similar to "Teflon pipe dope" (which I usually use as a substitute,) this will seal threaded joins against water/air leakage. Breaks with hand tools.
#640 - Sleeve Retainer. If you use this on a bolt, make DAMN sure you don't want to get it out again! Requires heat and power tools to break - since it's designed to keep a smooth sleeve in a smooth bore...
Again, use either #272 or NOTHING on exhaust bolts, since nothing else can stand up to the heat!
Bear in mind that using LocTite doesn't change any torque specifications, but the following changes should be considered mandatory (unless otherwise defined, torque specs in manuals are for "clean, dry" threads...)
Engine Oil/Chassis Grease - Listed torque x .67
Teflon Pipe Sealant - Listed torque x .75
Anti-Sieze Compount - Listed torque x .5
Other thread compounds should let you know what changes are to be made. Note that using typical "threadlocker" compounds (LocTite #222/242/xxx) should NOT change the listed torque value for a bolt - they're formulated not to...
5-90