New Head Bolts? or No?

ChunkFunky · 04-14-2003, 12:32 PM

Gunna be slapping on new TFS heads... the stock heads on the car have never been off... so I guess they've only been torque down once, at the factory... can I reuse the bolts ... I mean.. I know it's allways a safe bet to replace them... but this is more out of curiousity...

-as

jerrys84 · 04-14-2003, 12:35 PM

have never had a problem re-using head bolts..

WADS56 · 04-14-2003, 12:50 PM

I have reused the stock headbolts a few times. It was not on a high hp motor or anything but I had no problems. I wouold get a nice set of ARP studs. You can reuse them and get a better torque reading. Almost forgot, use the moly lobe it helps allot.

ChunkFunky · 04-14-2003, 12:57 PM

so I guess I can just reuse the stock ones.. it's going to be a daily driver with TFS heads... dont plan on beating it too hard... plus it's an AOD, so it wont shift past 5000 anyway... for now...

I plan to use some antiseize since it's going into aluminum.. that sound like the right plan of action?

-as

WADS56 · 04-14-2003, 06:11 PM

Sounds good but I still recomend a set of studs. With aluminum heads you want to make sure that you get a even clamping force on all the bolts to prevent any warpage. Studs will keep it almost exact with the moly lube. Tighten from the inside out in increments of 15ftlbs till the uppers hit 80ftlbs and the lowers 75ftlbs. Also use thread sealer where they go in the block.

Coupe50h · 04-14-2003, 08:34 PM

I see alot of "re-use" comments, i would'nt.

when i got my gt-40's i asked the same question, and looked up some old post about this, needless to say, i read too many stories about blown head gaskets, so i would just spend the 40-50 $, and get the arp's.

Anyway i torqued all of mine (irons) to 80ft lbs, all the way around, i used permatex thread sealer on the lowers, has been running good so far.

HiFlow5 0 · 04-15-2003, 06:56 AM

The head bolts are torque-to-yeild, which means they stretch to achieve the proper torque rating. Using them a second time will resrot in a inaccurate torque reading, it might not be much, but it would just be piece of mind to replace them.

I think 50 bucks for new head bolts is not much at all to ensure that you have no problems! Especially since you have just dished out the cash for Alum heads. Do it right the first time, this is not a place to be cheap.

mpj76 · 04-15-2003, 07:11 AM

Don't re-use. I took off my stock heads one time after about 80K. I had a bolt actually break apart while torquing it back down. Luckily it broke outside the head when I just started tightening it so I was able to take it out without any drama.

fiveohpatrol · 04-15-2003, 12:17 PM

If you are gonna spend $1000 on a new set of heads, then don't skimp on the head bolts. Spend the $40 and have good peace of mind.

Jeff Chambers · 04-16-2003, 07:19 AM

I've got a set of 7/16" ARP head studs and Edelbrock reducing washers for sale. I switched to an R302 block so I don't need the 7/16" stuff any more. Follow the URL in my sig and check out the FOR SALE section.

JaxTheDJ · 04-17-2003, 07:49 PM

I have ARP studs,I would NOT re use the stock head bolts unless you hate your new heads....

04-14-2003, 12:32 PM	#1
ChunkFunky Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 465	New Head Bolts? or No? Gunna be slapping on new TFS heads... the stock heads on the car have never been off... so I guess they've only been torque down once, at the factory... can I reuse the bolts ... I mean.. I know it's allways a safe bet to replace them... but this is more out of curiousity... -as __________________ '89 GT Convertible: TFS TW Heads, TFS Street Intake, TFS Stage 1 Cam, FMS 1.6 RRs, 24# Injectors, Pro-M 75mm MAF, No Name CAI, 3.73s, O/R H-Pipe, FlowMasters, AOD w/ Trans-Go Shift Kit

04-14-2003, 12:35 PM	#2
jerrys84 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: minnesota Posts: 129	have never had a problem re-using head bolts.. __________________ 91 LX 'work in progress' previous stangs; lightly modded 84GT 81 2.3 converted to 302 auto

04-14-2003, 12:50 PM	#3
WADS56 gear banger Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 1,144	I have reused the stock headbolts a few times. It was not on a high hp motor or anything but I had no problems. I wouold get a nice set of ARP studs. You can reuse them and get a better torque reading. Almost forgot, use the moly lobe it helps allot. __________________ 79 Hatch: NA 347, Stage 2 Canfield Heads, Victor JR. Intake, Blueprinted Holley 750 HP, Solid Roller Cam, Shooting for 10's on motor 93 LX: Tremec, dual friction clutch, fms flywheel, Hedman shorties, O/R H-pipe Ricer hater's club member #49

04-14-2003, 12:57 PM	#4
ChunkFunky Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 465	so I guess I can just reuse the stock ones.. it's going to be a daily driver with TFS heads... dont plan on beating it too hard... plus it's an AOD, so it wont shift past 5000 anyway... for now... I plan to use some antiseize since it's going into aluminum.. that sound like the right plan of action? -as __________________ '89 GT Convertible: TFS TW Heads, TFS Street Intake, TFS Stage 1 Cam, FMS 1.6 RRs, 24# Injectors, Pro-M 75mm MAF, No Name CAI, 3.73s, O/R H-Pipe, FlowMasters, AOD w/ Trans-Go Shift Kit

04-14-2003, 06:11 PM	#5
WADS56 gear banger Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 1,144	Sounds good but I still recomend a set of studs. With aluminum heads you want to make sure that you get a even clamping force on all the bolts to prevent any warpage. Studs will keep it almost exact with the moly lube. Tighten from the inside out in increments of 15ftlbs till the uppers hit 80ftlbs and the lowers 75ftlbs. Also use thread sealer where they go in the block. __________________ 79 Hatch: NA 347, Stage 2 Canfield Heads, Victor JR. Intake, Blueprinted Holley 750 HP, Solid Roller Cam, Shooting for 10's on motor 93 LX: Tremec, dual friction clutch, fms flywheel, Hedman shorties, O/R H-pipe Ricer hater's club member #49

04-14-2003, 08:34 PM	#6
Coupe50h Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 957	I see alot of "re-use" comments, i would'nt. when i got my gt-40's i asked the same question, and looked up some old post about this, needless to say, i read too many stories about blown head gaskets, so i would just spend the 40-50 $, and get the arp's. Anyway i torqued all of mine (irons) to 80ft lbs, all the way around, i used permatex thread sealer on the lowers, has been running good so far. __________________ X-Texas highway patrol ssp 1990 coupe - exploder Gt-40 iron heads, Explorer intake, 19 lber's. E-cam. crane 1.7 rollers. 190fp. 75mm maf. 65mm tb, tubular subframe connectors, mac cai, Asp crank pulley, T-5, king cobra clutch, flowtech 1-5/8 unequals, mac X-pipe Frpp driveshaft, lakewood Lca's. race weight 3,160 12.69 @ 107.35, 1.71 60' 26x8.5 drag's 3.90 gear 13.20 @ 106.91 - 235/60/15 firestones 2.3 60' 3.27 gear

04-15-2003, 06:56 AM	#7
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	The head bolts are torque-to-yeild, which means they stretch to achieve the proper torque rating. Using them a second time will resrot in a inaccurate torque reading, it might not be much, but it would just be piece of mind to replace them. I think 50 bucks for new head bolts is not much at all to ensure that you have no problems! Especially since you have just dished out the cash for Alum heads. Do it right the first time, this is not a place to be cheap. __________________ NewEngland Auto www.baystategearheads.com -91 Mustang Coupe, ex 4cyl (sold) -99 F150, 3" lift, 35" Procomps, Magnaflow exhaust Last edited by HiFlow5 0; 04-15-2003 at 07:59 AM..

04-15-2003, 07:11 AM	#8
mpj76 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 158	Don't re-use. I took off my stock heads one time after about 80K. I had a bolt actually break apart while torquing it back down. Luckily it broke outside the head when I just started tightening it so I was able to take it out without any drama.

04-15-2003, 12:17 PM	#9
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	If you are gonna spend $1000 on a new set of heads, then don't skimp on the head bolts. Spend the $40 and have good peace of mind. __________________ NMRA O/C 9516 NA pumpgas stickshift 347 10.65@125.6, 6.73@100, 1.41 60ft

04-16-2003, 07:19 AM	#10
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	I've got a set of 7/16" ARP head studs and Edelbrock reducing washers for sale. I switched to an R302 block so I don't need the 7/16" stuff any more. Follow the URL in my sig and check out the FOR SALE section. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

04-17-2003, 07:49 PM	#11
JaxTheDJ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Jacksonville,Fla. Posts: 134	I have ARP studs,I would NOT re use the stock head bolts unless you hate your new heads.... __________________ Jack 1989 Mustang LX: Converted to Carb.650 AED Holley DP,Weiand Stealth Intake,Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads,Hooker Super Comps, Ground Pounder Uppers and Lowers,Moroso Drag Springs,NEW COMP Xtreme Energy Cam and 1.6 RR. ,a few other goodies.*** New 1/4 times-12.50 1987 SC GT ( fast as hell) 2001 Powerstroke Tow Vehicle 1989 Coupe. Sometimes when you cry,no one sees your tears.......... Sometimes when you are happy,no one sees your smile......... But,FART just ONE time..........

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