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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: waldo786 on July 14, 2013, 12:52:07 PM

Title: what socket for 2.3 head bolts
Post by: waldo786 on July 14, 2013, 12:52:07 PM

Hello all, I am trying to remove my head bolts from my 2.3L ('76) and wasn't sure what size the bolts are.  They look like 1/2" 12 point socket, but I am not sure.  I also read on here that these can be reused?  Any clarifications would be helpful!  Thanks!

Title: Re: what socket for 2.3 head bolts
Post by: Pinto5.0 on July 14, 2013, 03:45:10 PM

It is a 12 point but either 1/2" or 9/16". They are re-usable & I'm hearing preferred over ARP studs which are supposedly lacking enough threads on the block side.   

Title: Re: what socket for 2.3 head bolts
Post by: 72pair on July 14, 2013, 04:29:58 PM

All the engine fasteners are metric... try 13mm.

Title: Re: what socket for 2.3 head bolts
Post by: waldo786 on July 14, 2013, 04:40:01 PM

Thanks for the info, I did try the 9/16 and it was just slightly too big.  I'll have to check on the metric too, so thanks for the tip!

Title: Re: what socket for 2.3 head bolts
Post by: Pinto5.0 on July 14, 2013, 05:57:20 PM

OK, wasn't sure. 1/2" & 13mm are interchangeabl e but use the one with the tightest grip. 13mm is a human hair smaller than 1/2" & only the best quality tools are that accurate.

Title: Re: what socket for 2.3 head bolts
Post by: waldo786 on July 14, 2013, 06:24:34 PM

Awesome, ordered a 13mm socket.  Hopefully it'll be here soon.  Very excited to get these old heads off and over to bo-port to get some work done on them.