7120 #11 Head Bolt Failure

[jfxj67]

After replacing the head gasket in my '95 XJ, a hairline crack was noticed around the #11 bolt hole, front to back around the bolt hole on the head gasket. Upon further review, a crack was noticed on the cylinder block in the same location as well. Everything else is visually inspected to be in pristine condition.

As this is my only daily driver, we installed the new head gasket and torqued the head down to specs, hoping for the best only using Teflon tape instead of Loctite 592 on the #11 bolt.

My question is, how exactly would this area seep coolant? I am assuming it would be from under the head of the bolt, and leaking into the valve cover, idk?

My only brainstorm as a temporary fix is to remove the bolt, and packed the threads and the head of the bolt with a Loctite, re-torque, and, let it cure..

Does anyone have any other suggestions besides the obvious, "Start Over!"?

Thanks in advance.
Happy New Year, and Happy Trails

[4.3LXJ]

I am not really sure on that. What I would do is consult an auto machine shop and see what they recommend. That one in the block would concern me more than the one in the head.

[jfxj67]

Unfortunately, it's "Start Over".

I just re-torqued all the head bolts after applying the Loctite 592. Bolt #11 clacked before clicking to 100 pounds. The bolt appears to be fine.

Looking like it's time to shop for another motor..

[4.3LXJ]

Sorry to hear that, but I thought that might be the case. If you have to do this again, make sure you don't use bolts that have already been torqued twice. They stretch.

[denverd1]

that sucks!

good thing is 4.0s are plentiful