Yes it could be improper assembly issues at the engine plant or a metallurgical issue with the bolts and they continue to yield with heat cycles/expansion & contraction.
Correct. It’ll just continue to yield and eventually will give way if you go too far.
I know I initially brought this up, but the 3.6L blown head gaskets are something that is in all honest probably overblown (no pun intended). You typically hear about the failures not the successes. There are millions of 3.6 PUGs out there and only a small percent have experienced blown head gaskets—at least as the leading cause of failure. It's common enough that it is discussed because even a small percent of millions is thousands to tens of thousands. I only brought it up in the context of bulletproofing, but after looking it up, it isn't a feasible preventative measure.
I’ll say…when I had the cams swapped, THAT would’ve been a good time to go with studs. I wish I knew the future back in May ‘25 because by October, POOF goes cyl 3.
If you can follow the service manual and have the tools, totally doable. You also have the community support for questions the manual may skim over. I use AlldataDIY. Was $20 for a month not long ago. I paid a little over $100 for 3 years last year. They have specials often.
Here's a thread from forum member that did it in his garage over 5 days (IIRC). It should give you an idea of what's involved.
Well, if they were never torqued to yield initially, then tightening them to the proper torque is better than just hoping for the best.
I’m doubtful one would be lucky enough that one loose head bolt would be the last one in the torque sequence. Normally, in an engine that hasn’t been run since the gasket was replaced, if you skip one in the sequence, you have to start all over.
People say this, people say that.. Did you bother to find out for yourself?
