Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Head bolts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 24, 2002 | 09:21 PM
  #1  
VAP's Avatar
VAP
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
Default Head bolts

The factory head bolts are supposed to be a non reuseable product as per the factory manual.
Are you guys replacing the head bolts ?
If replacing them - what are you replacing them with ?
Has anybody bought the ARP head stud kit yet ?
What is the Arp head stud kit worth ? USD
Does Arp do a head BOLT kit ?
What head gaskets are available ?
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2002 | 09:45 PM
  #2  
jmX's Avatar
jmX
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default Re: Head bolts

Nobody reuses used stock headbolts, no.
I replace mine with more stock ones.
Many people have used the ARP head stud kit.

Call agostino racing or MTI for some pricing on the ARP studs/bolts.

You can get GM gaskets from GM or napa, or ARE (agostono) has some fancy ones..there's probably a few others popping up out there too if you are doing a crazy forced induction setup. For the most part everybody just uses stock bolts and stock gaskets.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2002 | 06:05 PM
  #3  
SixPak's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: dallas,tx.
Default Re: Head bolts

when the head bolts are properly torqued they are 'stretched' slightly. to re-use them is begging for problems. a new set of bolts is cheap insurance. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

<img border="0" alt="[Corvette]" title="" src="graemlins/corvette.gif" />
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2002 | 09:39 PM
  #4  
phenyxTA's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Default Re: Head bolts

Get the head gaskets from napa online, they're like 12 bucks a piece.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2002 | 11:00 PM
  #5  
MelloYellow's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 1
From: Centrifugal City
Default Re: Head bolts

My mech and local machine shop weren't impressed with the head studs and wanted me to send them back. They said they were meant for racers that rebuild engines a lot and pull heads and want to re-use their studs/bolts without replacing them all the time.

They didn't feel the studs would help TQ the heads down more. They felt the problems encountering if wanting to remove the heads with the engine installed or trying to clean a gasket/block surface with them in would be a major PITA.

Just their opinion tho. They believe they were overmarketed re: holding heads down and that wasn't the main purpose. Re-use was.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 07:49 AM
  #6  
VAP's Avatar
VAP
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
Default Re: Head bolts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by phenyxTA:
<strong>Get the head gaskets from napa online, they're like 12 bucks a piece.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">12 Bucks for Genuine Head gaskets ? Awesome
Excuse my ingorance but I'm in Australia - Does NAPA have a web address or something ? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 01:05 PM
  #7  
Raging Motorsports's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Default Re: Head bolts

Sure would make pulling the heads on and off a breeze though. No more coolant to try and clean out of the headbolt holes in the block!
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 02:42 PM
  #8  
Plan B's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
Default Re: Head bolts

Long torque to yield bolts = <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />

I use ARP studs with the new metal gaskets, No cleaning.

I’ve also just ordered the stud kit for the bottom end of my next engine... Torque angle gauge goes in the bin.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Metal gaskets are less than $60 here in OZ!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 05:23 PM
  #9  
wicked 98z's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,021
Likes: 0
From: Angleton/Lake Jackson (South of Houston)
Default Re: Head bolts

Can you post the part # for the ARP head/main cap studs.

Thanks
Albert
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 08:01 PM
  #10  
VAP's Avatar
VAP
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
Default Re: Head bolts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Plan B:
[
Metal gaskets are less than $60 here in OZ![/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Plan B who sells them ? What do you mean be metal ? Do you mean copper ? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" />
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 08:20 PM
  #11  
LS1derfull's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 2
From: new england
Default Re: Head bolts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by MelloYellow:
<strong>My mech and local machine shop weren't impressed with the head studs and wanted me to send them back. They said they were meant for racers that rebuild engines a lot and pull heads and want to re-use their studs/bolts without replacing them all the time.

They didn't feel the studs would help TQ the heads down more. They felt the problems encountering if wanting to remove the heads with the engine installed or trying to clean a gasket/block surface with them in would be a major PITA.

Just their opinion tho. They believe they were overmarketed re: holding heads down and that wasn't the main purpose. Re-use was.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I wouldnt use a machine shop who cant see using head studs over bolts on a aluminum block with aluminum threads. Studs would definitely apply more clamping force and more evenly also. Block would be much more reliable with out straining threads, and since they are hand tight only , studs could be removed easily for cleaning block surface.There would be no chance of false torque readings and no chance of hydraulicing with studs.
Change shops IMO. Studs are the best.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 08:43 PM
  #12  
MelloYellow's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 1
From: Centrifugal City
Default Re: Head bolts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>I wouldnt use a machine shop who cant see using head studs over bolts on a aluminum block with aluminum threads. Studs would definitely apply more clamping force and more evenly also. Block would be much more reliable with out straining threads, and since they are hand tight only , studs could be removed easily for cleaning block surface.There would be no chance of false torque readings and no chance of hydraulicing with studs. Change shops IMO. Studs are the best.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thx for the reply. Wasn't using the shop, the guy just dropped by and my mech knew him and asked his opinion. The shops kinda suck down here. I tend to give some leeway to my mech when I don't know 100%. Hate telling people how to do their job. But ya, the above makes sense. Cleaning shouldn't be an issue with MLS too. Hand tight makes more sense. ARP had mentioned using red loctite. I think that scared him too into the block. Also, he works full time on LS1's the last 5 years and has yet to have a gasket/bolt problem so wasn't super convinced it was worth the hassle. Also didn't want the Chevy dealer seeing the studs when the engine went back in the car. That could have had more to do with it than anythign else, LOL!
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2002 | 09:02 PM
  #13  
Plan B's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
Default Re: Head bolts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VAP:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Plan B:
[
Metal gaskets are less than $60 here in OZ!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Plan B who sells them ? What do you mean be metal ? Do you mean copper ? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> [/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Street Quick Performance. (Perth) Ask for John.

The new GM gaskets are magnetic therefor not copper.
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2002 | 12:15 AM
  #14  
Jackyl_30's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Default Re: Head bolts

I am getting the ARP head/main cap studs. They should be in next week. My setup is a high boost application so they were necessary.
The thing with head bolts is the bolt head itself is all that holds it on and when you torque the bolt it wants to resist the tighting motion causing internal stress on the bolt. Where as the head studs have more surface area to hold the torque. Studs are by far the most durable and safest way to hold the heads and main caps in place.

Head and main cap studs are running me about $600.

<small>[ April 27, 2002, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: Jackyl_30 ]</small>
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2002 | 12:21 AM
  #15  
phenyxTA's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Default Re: Head bolts

Should be napaonline.com . I'm pretty sure they're genuine GM. I'm getting the headbolts from a local dealer for like 1.50 a piece.
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2002 | 12:26 AM
  #16  
VAP's Avatar
VAP
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
Default Re: Head bolts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Plan B:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VAP:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Plan B:
[
Metal gaskets are less than $60 here in OZ!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Plan B who sells them ? What do you mean be metal ? Do you mean copper ? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Street Quick Performance. (Perth) Ask for John.

The new GM gaskets are magnetic therefor not copper.[/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You got a phone number for Street Quick Perf. ?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:12 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE