U-Bolts and Engine Mounting/ Specs

Alrighty All,

I can't find anything on these 2 subjects via search (sorry if there is, if there is can someone kindly point me to them)

I'm doing an axle swap in my 2A from D25/41 to D27/44 from Andrew (1970CJ6) with fresh breaks. Well, I pulled 3 U-Bolts for new ones bent up from the truck shop. Well the thing is, a few quick shots of PB, then breaking the seats with a good wrench, than using the power impact, the 3 came off quite easy, I was shocked. There's my question. Do I reallly need to blow money on 12 new bent U-Bolts? Why can't I re-use my old ones you know? I've always been told don't, but why not?


And

I'm about to pull apart the worn L-Head for a freshening up. How the heck do I mount it to my new HF engine stand? It's the 4000 lb one I think, (I had a gift card so figured, why not?!) I pulled off my tranny, trans, and bell housing, but can't figure how to attach the fingers to the block. I know on the back, but what hardware? what holes? I'm deathly afraid of dropping the engine...
And once my heads off, how do I tell what needs to be done for what parts? Honing or an overbore? It's the same to me? :?

Thank you!
-Sammy

 

HTH!

 

Thank you, it does!

Maybe I'll ford the few extra bucks for new bolts, but I'm itching for the axle swap R)

On the engine, it's on a pallet right now, would I be better off leaving it on that?
I will do as you say, I look at the engine and say "looks good to me" but I know it's not
Would the machinist be able to get me the new parts (pistons rods valve seats so on, and for reasonable price (I know you don't live near, just wanting an estimate for it all))

Thank you!

 

Very few threads that you buy in the store are cut, probably less than 5% of them. Virtually all bolts have rolled threads on them anymore, they are generally stronger as the metal is technically cold forged when the threads are rolled on. You can generally get new u-bolts the right size at any NAPA store without paying to have them bent.

 

You can?
Oh man... Well the guy didn't know anything about a Dana Spicer 18 Transfer case... and doubtful know's what a castleated nut is... So we'll see. Thanks! I'll check with them. I need 4 rears, 3 front and one for over my pumpkin, so I'll bring the 3 sizes with. How much $ about here we speaking?

 

I paid like $20 for 4 of them, maybe less, been awhile.

 

Oh man, better than the 90 I was expecting, I'll call around tomorrow Thanks!
Now what holes/hardware for the engine? or maybe just leave it on the pallet its on right now?

 

The other reason to not reuse U-Bolts is when you first torque then they strech and that is what gives them the holding power. After you loosen them again it weakens them. They are not that expensive, just bring your old one into napa, dont tell them what it is for, that will only confuse them. I am lucky at the napa I use the owner has a cj3a

 

Sammy

Jackson Equipmet on 2nd street has them for less than $6.00 each and will bend what ever size you need.

Andrew

 

To a Jackson I'll go, I'll get new ones

What I don't get is if the torque is from stretching the threads, then why can you reuse normal bolts, and torque them as well? Same principle I think...

I may just rebuild the engine on the pallet, it's easier on me and less worriesome for dropping it

 

bolts are not holding your axles under your rig

 

That's true, but not to rattle any chains, U-bolts. Drop a "u-" what becomes but bolt. Bolds hold the body on... Part of the springs, engine heads, -trans-tranny-engine and they can be reused?
Just wondering

 

Reusing old bolts is fine so long as they are not over torqued, corroded or rusted. Stretching the bolt from normal torque, is normal, if the bolts are in good shape it's fine to reuse them. Brand new head bolts are actually suppose to be cycled before using, which means torqueing them down usually around 3X's before you torque them for a final time.

 

3 times?! So if you have a bolt that's to be down to 60lbs, you do it 180?! Wow...

Oh wait, you mean torque it to 60, back it off, retorque to 60, back of, re do, back off, then final time?
But I don't see how the ubolts differ from normal bolts, since mine are in good shape and all

 

reuse them if you wish. I just always choose to replace. On my m38 almost all the hardware is new, except on any that a special or hard to find.

 

You hear a lot of claims that head bolts and axle u-bolts (in particular) aren't supposed to be reused. Is there any reason not to reuse u-bolts, for example, except that the ends are usually so bent and peened over by rocks that it's easier to cut them than to remove them by unthreading?

 

Tim, I was thinking that too, but mine were straight as an arrow, mainly driven in sand not rocks, so they came off just fine
But they said that the threads stretch?

 

Would that be possible to happen? Well when you're reuilding on a budget 50 is a lot... But maybe my life is worth it