stock main bolts question (pics)
stock main bolts question (pics) Here is what my crank looks like...
So i'm obviously getting a new crank and rod. My question is, is it safe to use the stock main cap bolts again after installing the new rotating assembly, or are the stock bolts stretch to yeild?
So i'm obviously getting a new crank and rod. My question is, is it safe to use the stock main cap bolts again after installing the new rotating assembly, or are the stock bolts stretch to yeild?
Replacing the main cap bolts and studs is not required per the GM service manual. The bottom end of these stock motors are good up to a debatable 1,000 horses. However, if you are planning on going with a stroker and a larger cam then I would highly recommend upgrading to some ARPs. I'm sure there are plenty of people including myself that have reused the main cap bolts and studs and haven't had a bit of trouble. Just my $.02.
These bolts are not re-usable. They are stretch fit bolts as Black01M6SS stated. For the money you are going to be spending on getting new bolts ARP studs for a little bit more are well worth it.
And 1,000 hp? That's laughably debatable. I hope you meant the crank, and not the "entire" bottom end. If the stock rods, and pistons could handle 1,000 hp you would see alot less people buying rotating assemblys from companies like Texas Speed. I have personally seen the pistons fail in a LQ4 engine with a single Garrett 88 turbo pushing no more than 6 pounds of boost with impeccable tuning. I would trust the crank, but throw anything else away pushing close to 500whp or more let alone 1000....
And 1,000 hp? That's laughably debatable. I hope you meant the crank, and not the "entire" bottom end. If the stock rods, and pistons could handle 1,000 hp you would see alot less people buying rotating assemblys from companies like Texas Speed. I have personally seen the pistons fail in a LQ4 engine with a single Garrett 88 turbo pushing no more than 6 pounds of boost with impeccable tuning. I would trust the crank, but throw anything else away pushing close to 500whp or more let alone 1000....
Yes thanks for the correction. By 1,000 horses I mean that's the limit of the crank not for the entire bottom end lol! I would also like to know what the definitive answer is on the reuse of main cap bolts. Some say yes and some say no. Is there really a definitive answer...has anyone done any real research into engine failure due to faulty stretch on main bolts? Here are just a few links I found on the reuse of main bolts.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
I doubt anything bad would happen if you reused them but that doesn't mean I would do it or recommend that anyone do it. I was tought that torque to yield bolts get replaced. You could probably get away with building it without a torque wrench or a torque angle gauge but that doesn't mean I would try that either.
Edit: It seems some people believe that they are not torque to yield. I assume they are since they have a torque angle spec instead of a normal torque spec. I could be wrong but I've always been told that anything with a torque angle spec is a torque to yield bolt and is not ment to be reused. With all the controversy about this I would just replace them to be sure.
Edit: It seems some people believe that they are not torque to yield. I assume they are since they have a torque angle spec instead of a normal torque spec. I could be wrong but I've always been told that anything with a torque angle spec is a torque to yield bolt and is not ment to be reused. With all the controversy about this I would just replace them to be sure.
Last edited by Black01M6SS; Aug 18, 2008 at 03:32 AM.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Dont be cheap thats how you run into trouble and learn lessons. Look at it this way. Your already in there and your questioning if you should or not correct? Go ahead and replace them with good bolts or studs. Dont mess around or you could get burned.
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I agree....just replace them to be safe
main studs Hey guys and gals just wanted to help clear this up all these bolts listed are going to be a torque to yield bolt. All GM head bolts, balancer bolt, and all the GM mains except the ones that will go through the side of the block....Thanks..
Good choice 
You can get Fel-Pro stock head bolts at Advance Auto for 50.00 for both heads. Just trying to help. But if your planning to remove the heads in the future you need to go with ARP because you can reuse them over and over. ARP bolts will be the last set of head bolts youll ever buy.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 308
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From: ne ct summer,naples in the fall
sure you can resuse the bolts, its just like using a condom twice...but do you really want to???
Yes thanks for the correction. By 1,000 horses I mean that's the limit of the crank not for the entire bottom end lol! I would
also like to know what the definitive answer is on the reuse of main cap bolts. Some say yes and some say no. Is there really a definitive answer...has anyone done any real research into engine failure due to faulty stretch on main bolts? Here are just a few links I found on the reuse of main bolts.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
also like to know what the definitive answer is on the reuse of main cap bolts. Some say yes and some say no. Is there really a definitive answer...has anyone done any real research into engine failure due to faulty stretch on main bolts? Here are just a few links I found on the reuse of main bolts.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...lts+reuse+main
Torque To Yield bolts do exactly what they say, they torque to their yield which is the point at which a certain material will permanently deform and loose it's clamping force. If torqued beyond yield, they are no good and need to be replaced. If they were torqued properly, then they can be re used.
They say to replace the TTY bolts because there isn't really any way to know if they were torqued properly, unless you torqued them in the first place.