How to remove the head bolts on a 90 alltrac

awdmofo

Member
Have the valve cover removed and before I remove the intake manifold and the turbo I wanted to ask what tool is used to remove the head bolts. This video below says a "12 point" socket, anyone know a part number or another name for it?

(Go to 4 mins into the video to hear him talk about it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BckKpYCQYM4
 

zaluss

Member

awdmofo

Member
zaluss":2xn851ee said:
awdmofo":2xn851ee said:
Have the valve cover removed and before I remove the intake manifold and the turbo I wanted to ask what tool is used to remove the head bolts. This video below says a "12 point" socket, anyone know a part number or another name for it?

(Go to 4 mins into the video to hear him talk about it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BckKpYCQYM4

IIRC its a 12 point 12mm hex socket.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-1-2-in-D ... et/3387370

that seems right but I believe I need the male socket not female :shrug: .
 

Locker

Member
its a 12 point female socket.
I've done it with a regular 6 point but wouldn't recommend it if you plan on reusing them
 

underscore

Well-known member
You can buy the sockets, but the ones I've found are in sets and pricey (considering how little I'd use them) so I usually cheat and get a bolt and 2 or 3 nuts that are the size you need and in the highest grade available. Tighten them together and weld the last nut to the shaft of the bolt, then just use a normal socket on that to remove the bolts.
 

awdmofo

Member
Locker":9ust3dr2 said:
its a 12 point female socket.
I've done it with a regular 6 point but wouldn't recommend it if you plan on reusing them

If this is correct, does that mean the mr2 3s-gte has different bolts? I ask because the video I linked shows a male type socket and I don't mind spending the $$ to get the right tool for the job.
 

awdmofo

Member
underscore":27pwlorp said:
You can buy the sockets, but the ones I've found are in sets and pricey (considering how little I'd use them) so I usually cheat and get a bolt and 2 or 3 nuts that are the size you need and in the highest grade available. Tighten them together and weld the last nut to the shaft of the bolt, then just use a normal socket on that to remove the bolts.
:nono: aren't the sockets like $10??? lol
 

underscore

Well-known member
awdmofo":1i9fk4k5 said:
underscore":1i9fk4k5 said:
You can buy the sockets, but the ones I've found are in sets and pricey (considering how little I'd use them) so I usually cheat and get a bolt and 2 or 3 nuts that are the size you need and in the highest grade available. Tighten them together and weld the last nut to the shaft of the bolt, then just use a normal socket on that to remove the bolts.
:nono: aren't the sockets like $10??? lol

Maybe, to me that's still a lot for one socket I'll use once or twice. I needed a 14mm for my Jeep and I could only find it in a big $30 set so I built that for $2.
 

alltracman78

Active member
awdmofo":2nnpv4h7 said:
Locker":2nnpv4h7 said:
its a 12 point female socket.
I've done it with a regular 6 point but wouldn't recommend it if you plan on reusing them

If this is correct, does that mean the mr2 3s-gte has different bolts? I ask because the video I linked shows a male type socket and I don't mind spending the $$ to get the right tool for the job.

It's not correct. Stock headbolts use a male 12 point socket.
If you have studs, then you'd use a regular socket.
 

awdmofo

Member
RedCelicaTRD":11sk627b said:
Also, are you switching over to studs or will you be using stock bolts again?

Was thinking to just use the stock ones again, and it says to torq to 36ft/lbs. I have a torq wrench so that shouldn't be a problem. Any reason to switch over studs? This is a minor rebuild for a stock turbo and simple bolt on mods until I buy a 205 engine/trans and do my 400hp build. Basically trying to do this work on the cheap, but do it right the first time. :|
 

awdmofo

Member
alltracman78":28x2rxua said:
awdmofo":28x2rxua said:
Locker":28x2rxua said:
its a 12 point female socket.
I've done it with a regular 6 point but wouldn't recommend it if you plan on reusing them

If this is correct, does that mean the mr2 3s-gte has different bolts? I ask because the video I linked shows a male type socket and I don't mind spending the $$ to get the right tool for the job.

It's not correct. Stock headbolts use a male 12 point socket.
If you have studs, then you'd use a regular socket.

I believe we have a winner. Alltracman thanks for the input, Locker your :nono: fired :nono: lol. Redcelica your awesome, and as always underscore you make me :rofl: :rofl: . but thanks though... Now to figure out how to get the intake manifold off, then the T-belt, and then the turbo. should take me a few days of poke around after work to get the head off.

 

Locker

Member
alltracman78":1xlfe3ma said:
awdmofo":1xlfe3ma said:
Locker":1xlfe3ma said:
its a 12 point female socket.
I've done it with a regular 6 point but wouldn't recommend it if you plan on reusing them

If this is correct, does that mean the mr2 3s-gte has different bolts? I ask because the video I linked shows a male type socket and I don't mind spending the $$ to get the right tool for the job.

It's not correct. Stock headbolts use a male 12 point socket.
If you have studs, then you'd use a regular socket.
Sorry you guys are right! I used a 6 point male allen type bit. I wouldn't suggest it unless you're replacing them though...
 

awdmofo

Member
No worries, I'm learning everyday I work on this guy. I hope to get the timing belt off and maybe Intake manifold off tonight after work, should be fun... :roll:
 

RedCelicaTRD

Moderator
You'll need to measure the head bolts to see if they have stretched and are no longer reusable. I would go with a set of studs, especially if you are going to use a metal head gasket.
 

awdmofo

Member
RedCelicaTRD":2a4bwtox said:
You'll need to measure the head bolts to see if they have stretched and are no longer reusable. I would go with a set of studs, especially if you are going to use a metal head gasket.

I guess i'll have to measure them? should the specs be in my Toyota repair manual?

Found this set of 4 sockets that are all 12 point, 6mm 8mm 10mm and 12mm. The 12mm was the correct fit!! only cost me $5.99 :D at Oreillys.

 
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