Do I need new head bolts?

skiwesser · 12-04-2002, 12:26 AM

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?

gofastmercury · 12-04-2002, 12:33 AM

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...

toevil1 · 12-04-2002, 12:44 AM

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.

PKRWUD · 12-04-2002, 12:49 AM

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

Take care,
~Chris

NotchJohnson · 12-04-2002, 09:42 AM

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.

302 LX Eric · 12-04-2002, 03:25 PM

Is this ture for studs too?

Thanks,
E

PKRWUD · 12-04-2002, 06:13 PM

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

Hmmmmm.

fiveohpatrol · 12-04-2002, 06:53 PM

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

PKRWUD · 12-04-2002, 09:41 PM

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

Mach 1 · 12-04-2002, 10:14 PM

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

fiveohpatrol · 12-04-2002, 11:00 PM

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)

Dark_5.0 · 12-04-2002, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mach 1
i have re-used stock head bolts with no problems what so ever, so if your on a tight budget, i say reuse them.

I reused mine too, so far with no problems.

John R. Mustang · 12-05-2002, 05:45 PM

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.

RoadWarrior · 12-06-2002, 09:54 AM

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.

chico · 12-06-2002, 06:09 PM

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

89 Black GT · 12-06-2002, 10:31 PM

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

12-04-2002, 12:26 AM	#1
skiwesser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: rock hill,S.C. 29730 Posts: 420	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? __________________ 88 GT: subs,pullies, 1 3/4 longtubes, flowmasters, AFR 165's,T,F #1 cam,Thyphoon intake, 24# inj., 73mm C&L,65mmT.B., 190LPH pump, Eagle sir rods, forged pistons in a newly rebuilt 306. DYNO TUNED TO 300.97 RWHP 337RWTQ

12-04-2002, 12:33 AM	#2
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	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... __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

12-04-2002, 12:49 AM	#4
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	They stretch when torqued, and should never be reused. People do, but people blow head gaskets, too. Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

12-04-2002, 09:42 AM	#5
NotchJohnson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 593	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. __________________ 89 notch-finally not stock!! ported gt40's, ported cobra intake, 65mm tb, 75mm maf, mac cai, lt's,prochamber, fms 1.6 rr, 125 shot.

12-04-2002, 03:25 PM	#6
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	Is this ture for studs too? Thanks, E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

12-04-2002, 12:44 AM	#3
toevil1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 39	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.

12-04-2002, 06:13 PM	#7
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	that's a damn good question. I've never heard that about them, but it doesn't mean it doesn't apply. Hmmmmm. __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

12-04-2002, 06:53 PM	#8
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	Chris, how many times would you reccomend re-using ARP head bolts before replacing them? __________________ NMRA O/C 9516 NA pumpgas stickshift 347 10.65@125.6, 6.73@100, 1.41 60ft

12-04-2002, 09:41 PM	#9
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	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 __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

12-04-2002, 10:14 PM	#10
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	i have re-used stock head bolts with no problems what so ever, so if your on a tight budget, i say reuse them. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

12-04-2002, 11:00 PM	#11
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	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) __________________ NMRA O/C 9516 NA pumpgas stickshift 347 10.65@125.6, 6.73@100, 1.41 60ft

12-05-2002, 05:45 PM	#13
John R. Mustang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Rolla, MO, USA Posts: 187	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.

12-06-2002, 09:54 AM	#14
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	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. __________________ Fast Company

12-06-2002, 06:09 PM	#15
chico Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Manteca,Ca. Posts: 114	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 __________________ 98 cobra convt. 515 rwhp 421 torque..554 rwhp on 98 octane..635 rwhp this summer

12-06-2002, 10:31 PM	#16
89 Black GT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 4	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 __________________ 89 Mustang GT, e-303 cam, hedman headers, flowtech h-pipe, dynomax cat-back, march underdrive pullies, sn95 electric fan, 3g alt, 3.27 gear, t-5

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