2000Hawk

iTrader: (5)

I would only remove the heads to install headers, if i was going to change out my heads as well. But if your just going to do headers, just do what Big Mike said. Jack up the car so you can almost put the headers standing on the collector, then slip them up.
-Joel

Grimes

iTrader: (3)

friends don't let friends reuse stock head bolts....

1BAD02WS6

iTrader: (-1)

you guys are funny

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

dont be a cheapass, stock bolts arent much

RE AND CHERYL

iTrader: (31)

Your trying to bait us, right.....There is no way pulling the heads is going to make installing headers easier. You practically have to remove the headers just to get to the outside head bolts. If you want to remove something to make installing the headers easier, support the engine and pull the subframe.

Re'

Summit2345

iTrader: (2)

I got my info from a parts guy at a local dealership that I have know for 15+ years, and im not saying that you are incorrect just telling you what he showed me on his computer. By the way Im running 11.4:1 compression, and plan on running a 150 shot this spring with my reused head bolts wish me luck lol

RE AND CHERYL

iTrader: (31)

If the parts guy was that smart, he'd be working on cars. Not pulling the parts fro the guys working on them.

I just checked my Helms manual for the hell of it. In the remove/install heads instructions it states NOT to reuse the head bolts.

Re'

Steve01SS

iTrader: (43)

With a re-used TTY bolt... you are are not guaranteed that will get the proper clamping force. Some bolts might, and some might not due to the stretching of the bolts differently. A new set of stockers is like $30 or a nice set of re-useable ARP's is about $100. I used new GM bolts in my car, but my next motor is getting head studs.. Even better uniformity in the clamping force.

5w20

iTrader: (21)

they stretch


do it and tell us how it works out for you.....

Black Plague

iTrader: (13)

Dont do it or it will be helicoil time! Its not worth the hasstle lord forbid it will be one of the back ones that you cant get to Just get new bolts beacase they streatch and new bolts are cheap!

Asmodeus

If they're stretched you won't get an even clamping force. Will it make gaskets leak? maybe not, but you're going to get the same effect as if you didn't follow proper torquing instruction. I don't know anyone who would tell someone to just ignore the torque wrench and bolt heads on and go. That's basicly what you're going to do. It might work, it might not. But new bolts will always work.

cam69plus

Sorry but I just broke an ARP bolt. Heads were torqued, but I was missing a washer for my intake. Well luckily I removed the heads and found the washer. Reinstalled the heads with the brand new ARP bolts as prescribed by a Certified Technician named ERIC, over at JUST ANSWER. Don't forget, the heads were torqued, removed and retorqued Well I broke a bolt, and you know the rest..
And I paid for his answer---Boy this sure cost me a bundle. I should have listen to the first 5 comments that I found----DON'T REUSE HEADBOLTS!!!!!!!!!! and get these so called technicians to keep there opinions to themselves

b00stleak

Denmah would disagree lol.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Where’s Gary? Paging Mr Atsma…

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

To even ask the question to re-use a TTY bolt should not even merit a response. You already know most will say no and there will be those that say I have and it's still together and I did this or that.

Bottom line: It's your motor and if you want to build it with some used $40 bolts and you are comfortable with that then have at it.

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

ARP's are not TTY and are reusable and many people including me have used them over and over without issue, If you had an ARP bolt break it was either defective or not installed correctly. If you look at the date of the original post it's quite old and many have reused the stock bolt without issue, I myself will just spring for ARP's myself and bypass the GM bolts altogether.

G Atsma

I was in town, man, this all just happened so fast.....
OK, don't reuse old OEM head bolts. And ARP has bad days too...
OK, 'nuff said....

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Damn...late to the party again...

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Referring to an old thread bump…

TrendSetter

my last 5.3 i did i decided to give it a try reusing the head bolts. so, that means i reused head gaskets, rings, bearings, oil pump, head bolts, basically everything except the oil. biggest problem ive had is keeping transmissions and driveshafts in the car but im only at about 10-12psi of boost.