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what head bolts to use ?

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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 10:50 AM
  #1  
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Default what head bolts to use ?

ARP or stock to yield and how do stock to yield work never used these before.
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 10:56 AM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

I have done 3 head swaps on my car and used the Stock type bolts each time. Never had any trouble out of them. Your give them a little initial torque (22ft/lbs I can't remember for sure off hand) and then turn them a set number of degrees in one sequence and then some more.. there is a real good head swap write up on the net somewhere that outlines the torque procedure... I've used it every time.
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 11:03 AM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

Ditto with what gomer says. Use the stock GM bolts.

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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 11:04 AM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

ARP
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 08:58 PM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

I plan on coughing up the $230 for the ARP studs. They should work well with any application and save money down the road. I hate spending that money over and over again. You take the heads off twice, and the ARP's have paid for themselves. Plus you don;t have to **** with that degree wrench thing. Much easier installation.
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 09:42 PM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

Do the ARP's have a set torque to spec or are they so many degrees like the stockers?? I'd rather just torque and go. It seems so much easier.
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 10:15 PM
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1999_SS_M6's Avatar
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

ARP's get 3 passes... 30ft/lbs, 50ft/lbs, and finish at 70ft/lbs. They are a little more trouble-free in that respect, but either will work fine.
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 10:33 PM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

Not to mention you can easily do this yourself with the very same torque wrench that is collection dust in your garage instead of going out to buy one of the handy dandy degree wrenches required by the stockers.
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 10:43 PM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

no degree wrench...just felt tip marker the bolts, turn to the prescribed degree and your good. Actually good bolts they are.
Besides if I use ARP, then I know I wil end up goig inside again..if nothing more than becasue i can!
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Old Sep 3, 2003 | 11:52 PM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

Who sells the ARP's for the best price??
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Old Sep 4, 2003 | 10:40 AM
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Default Re: what head bolts to use ?

I used new GM bolts and torked them 75lbs for the long bolts and about 65-70 for the short bolts...make sure you do this in three stages...40, 55, 75 etc.

The important part is cleaning out the block holes so no hydrolock occurs...

The directions for a head swap are on the JMX web page.

My GM dealer says he has reused the old head bolts on all his warranty work for many years and has never had a single problem....he laughs at the dumb people like me who buy new bolts since it keeps GM in positive cash flow...
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