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reusing "NEW" head bolts??

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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 08:09 PM
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Default reusing "NEW" head bolts??

ok , this sound strange but here goes, if i installed the heads and used new head bolts, but never ran the engine, could i reuse these bolts?? or is it too late?

i'm asking cause i put the heads on just a while ago and now they are leaking coolant. i want to take them off but don't want to buy new bolts again.
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 08:24 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" 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 1dirtyZ:
<strong>ok , this sound strange but here goes, if i installed the heads and used new head bolts, but never ran the engine, could i reuse these bolts?? or is it too late?

i'm asking cause i put the heads on just a while ago and now they are leaking coolant. i want to take them off but don't want to buy new bolts again.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Unfortunatly if you have already 'Torqued' them down to spec (90deg/90deg blah blah) then you really shouldn't. The bolt has already been stretched to yield (maybe not as much as it might with time, but it has). To reuse those would GREATLY increase the chance of having to rip it right back apart again to replace it all. In a nutshell I don't recommend using head bolts once tightend.

<small>[ July 30, 2002, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Ryoga ]</small>
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 08:38 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

POOP!! i guess it's time to get a stud kit!
bummer!
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 03:57 AM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

Yes once they are torqued down you can forget it.
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 04:49 AM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

how about the little ones??
they were torqued to 22ft/lbs only. can i reuse them?
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 07:50 AM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

little ones are reusable <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 01:20 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" 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 1dirtyZ:
<strong>how about the little ones??
they were torqued to 22ft/lbs only. can i reuse them?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yup, I've been told by some you can reuse those... But you might as well replace those too...
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 02:06 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

Not that I recommend it (I DO NOT!!!) but head bolts have been reused before (slap me silly but yes, I've done it when I was in a major hurry and didn't have new ones readily available.)
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 02:08 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

I reuse them all the time, even with 20,000 miles.
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 02:58 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

Reusing heads bolts is like reusing underware <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> It should never be done and when it is, there is always bad results.
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 03:06 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

"...there is always bad results."

Always? As in each and every time???
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 03:17 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

a lot of people would wanna slp me for this but I have re-used my pulley bolt with no problems <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 04:20 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

If you re-use your headbolts your car isn't going to instantly explode, but it does increase the possibility of your heads lifting, or the bolts breaking off in the block. Either of which is a total pain in the ***.

If you've got the dough, get some studs. No more head-bolt hassle, and you don't have to worry about wearing out your block threads anymore. PLUS, you don't have to clean the threads when you do the heads <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 04:54 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" 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 Colonel:
<strong>
Always? As in each and every time???</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You haven't reused underware have you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 07:49 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

Where's the best best to get a replacement set of bolts.....the dealer?
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 08:33 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" 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 ls1290:
<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 Colonel:
<strong>
Always? As in each and every time???</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You haven't reused underware have you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sure, just flip 'em inside out and go another week. I've always had stickin' good luck doing this. Doesn't everyone do it? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 09:54 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

How much is an ARP head stud kit? I'm about to swap heads for the 4th time and I might as well just buy some damn head studs. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 10:41 PM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" 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 jmX:
<strong>How much is an ARP head stud kit? I'm about to swap heads for the 4th time and I might as well just buy some damn head studs. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The studs sell for $299. If you do swap heads quite a bit, the studs are the way to go. Also, it is a much better way to secure the heads in place.

I'll be using them when my heads arrive... very soon hopefully!

Jason

<small>[ July 31, 2002, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: Jason99T/A ]</small>
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Old Aug 1, 2002 | 05:29 AM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

doesn't jeggs sell them for $220 or something like that??
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Old Aug 1, 2002 | 08:20 AM
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Default Re: reusing "NEW" head bolts??

Yeah, you can get them cheaper than $300. Some payed as little as $190. Just shop around....
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