I replaced the head gaskets on a 96 Thunderbird with a 3.6L engine. I ran into a problem when I was re-installing the aluminum lower intake to the aluminum heads. The little bolts have a torque rating of 22 ft lbs max, in three steps. I was more than apprehensive about putting that much torque on them. The intake gasket is like none that I have seen, it is about .06" plastic with silicone rubber sealing lines. I followed the procedure in the haynes manual that says tighten to 5 (in the order specified) then 15 followed by 22 (or something like that, not recalling the exact numbers). Anyway, on the second bolt, it snapped before I even got to at about 200 in.lbs. I don't quite believe the 22 ft.lbs. of torque. Can an experienced Ford mechanic tell me about these bolts and how to put them in without breaking them? I was able to grind a slot in the remains of the bolt an remove it with a screwdriver. I had to replace all of the head bolts as per the instructions, I'm thinking that the lower intake bolts should have been replaced as well but it didn't say anything about that. Now they will have to be replaced, I dont trust any of the rest of them.
Thank You for your attention and time.
Chip.