Reuse stock Head Bolts?
Reuse stock Head Bolts? I am in the process of rebuilding my 99 LS1 and didnt see any reccomendations on head bolts.
Do you guys reuse your stock head bolts, buy new stock head bolts or by ARP studs? Are the stock bolts torque to yield?
Do you guys reuse your stock head bolts, buy new stock head bolts or by ARP studs? Are the stock bolts torque to yield?
if you havent seen it yet, www.ls1howto.com has a step by step guide.
Don't reuse them! New GM head bolts are like 45-50 bucks well spent! Although arp head bolts are easier to torque since they don't need to be stretched using torque angle gauge...
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Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
And keep buying non-reusable bolts... so next time you need to check out a lifter or any other reason to pull the head you spend another ~$50. I'd just pony up for the ARP and if it is an alloy block step up to the studs.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: springfield, mo
hello you cant reuse the stock headbolts they are a one time use, buy arp reusable ones, bc stock are a one time use again look around i found them through pace performance for 150 and you can reuse them if you decide to do aftermarker or port and polish the heads. arp 134-3609 is the part number for the correct bolts. 3610 will not work bc they are all same length. so look around you might find cheaper summit will price match also.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: springfield, mo
YES this is a major step use a air can or blow compressor to blow out the bolt holes if you dont when you torque the bolts you can crack the block. follow the torque procedure and place all pushrods guide plates ect in order in a cardboard box and mark them as they come out and reinstall in the same manner.
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 5
From: PA/MD
Also be sure you get the correct head bolt set...if the bolt on each end inside the vslve cover is a different lenght than the rest of them in that row you have the (1st design) if all are the same length in that row you have the (2nd design)
98- 03 "should" be 1st design, 05-up "should" be 2nd design and 04, depending on the moth the engine was made could be either
98- 03 "should" be 1st design, 05-up "should" be 2nd design and 04, depending on the moth the engine was made could be either
Teching In
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 5
So this actually shows why you need to replace torque to yield bolts.
The used bolt have already stretch and the material is deformed. Which makes it harder and more brittle.
Meaning it will take more force to stretch the bolt to the stock specs, which is twice 90 degree or so?
So you will just overtighten them using the stock specs.
Will this result in immediate failure? maybe not.
Changes off failure after a few hundred heat cycles and few pounds of boost? maybe.
The bolts are cheap and I would recommend using new ones or ARP in any performance application.
The used bolt have already stretch and the material is deformed. Which makes it harder and more brittle.
Meaning it will take more force to stretch the bolt to the stock specs, which is twice 90 degree or so?
So you will just overtighten them using the stock specs.
Will this result in immediate failure? maybe not.
Changes off failure after a few hundred heat cycles and few pounds of boost? maybe.
The bolts are cheap and I would recommend using new ones or ARP in any performance application.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 663
Likes: 384
From: South Carolina
So this actually shows why you need to replace torque to yield bolts.
The used bolt have already stretch and the material is deformed. Which makes it harder and more brittle.
Meaning it will take more force to stretch the bolt to the stock specs, which is twice 90 degree or so?
So you will just overtighten them using the stock specs.
Will this result in immediate failure? maybe not.
Changes off failure after a few hundred heat cycles and few pounds of boost? maybe.
The bolts are cheap and I would recommend using new ones or ARP in any performance application.
The used bolt have already stretch and the material is deformed. Which makes it harder and more brittle.
Meaning it will take more force to stretch the bolt to the stock specs, which is twice 90 degree or so?
So you will just overtighten them using the stock specs.
Will this result in immediate failure? maybe not.
Changes off failure after a few hundred heat cycles and few pounds of boost? maybe.
The bolts are cheap and I would recommend using new ones or ARP in any performance application.
