Do I need new head bolts?
 

I took off the heads for a valve job and some porting and milling.
Do I need new head bolts when I reinstall them?
I'm not sure of this and cannot find this info in the haynes manual or anywhere?

If read any "how to" book, they tell you to get new bolts.
I just think they like to cover their own *ss. And so will I, maybe you should too...

I heard that the head bolts are torque sensitive and should be changed once they are removed. I would buy new ones, they will run you about $40 - 60.

They stretch when torqued, and should never be reused. People do, but people blow head gaskets, too.

:)

Take care,
~Chris

You might as well pick up a good set of ARP's they are just as much as Fords one-time-use torque to yield bolts.

Is this ture for studs too?

Thanks,
E

that's a damn good question. I've never heard that about them, but it doesn't mean it doesn't apply.

Hmmmmm.

Chris, how many times would you reccomend re-using ARP head bolts before replacing them?

For mild mods, 3 or 4 times. For less than 6 pounds of boost, twice. for more than 6 pounds of boost, once.

This is just an off the top suggestion, for an engine with a few miles inbetween teardowns.

Take care,
~Chris

i have re-used stock head bolts with no problems what so ever, so if your on a tight budget, i say reuse them.

being in college, I know all about the tight buget thing. And altough some people have been lucky with the stock bolts, I opted to get ARP's. They're only about $40, which is cheaper than if you blow a head gasket (atleast $50 in gaskets and materials, not to mention wasted time)

I reused mine too, so far with no problems.

I've reused the stock ones with no problems but a friend of mine reused his stock ones and about 20,000 miles later had coolant leaking out of the back of he head. It turned out to be a broken head bolt! I say if you've got the money get the ARP's, it's a good investment.

I reused the ones in my 82 a couple pf times and never had a problem. On the new engine i opted for the arp's though. So if youve got a few $$ go for the arp's but otherwise just use the stock ones.

If your staying close to stock OK reuse once....you are asking for trouble (blown head gaskets, comp. loss, etc.) reusing head bolts if your pushing a little HP.. For $60 go with the ARP studed headbolts...well worth the investment

it depends on what year your engine is - 91 and later used torque to yeild bolts - some 90's did aswell

You can tell by the bolt head - if the washer is integral to the bolt (one-piece) then they are not tourque to yield

if the washer is sepearte then they are tourque to yield and must be replaced

BTW I am sure this is the way it works (i know you tell by the washer but cant say for a 100% which way is which, i don't have the info right now but I'll double check tommorrow)


I reused mine in my 89 as they were not tourque to yield - i also used liquid teflon on them aswell (car not here so i cant look to double check)

Ford has a tsb on this