Looking for detailed step-by-step on head swaps
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
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if you do use TTY (torque to yield) bolts than you need one of those wrenches with a degree wheel
Just use ARP bolts and TQ per spec with a TQ wrench in the sequence noted in service manual
I found this book VERY helpful
Just use ARP bolts and TQ per spec with a TQ wrench in the sequence noted in service manual
I found this book VERY helpful
What head bolts are you using? For stock bolts they are torqued to 65lbs in a three step torque sequence. If they are ARP you need to call them and ask what torque spec they are good for.
If your bolts are stock, are they the same ones or did you buy new?
If your bolts are stock, are they the same ones or did you buy new?
I'm in the midst of tooling up and have a question about what wrench to use for the head bolts. The instructions I have say to tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence to 22 ft. lbs, then tighten the long and medium length bolts an additional 80 degrees and the short bolts an additional 67 degrees. I thought I've seen wrenches with degree wheels on the wrench but I figured I'd ask if anyone knew what the proper tool is.
if you do use TTY (torque to yield) bolts than you need one of those wrenches with a degree wheel
Just use ARP bolts and TQ per spec with a TQ wrench in the sequence noted in service manual
I found this book VERY helpful
https://www.amazon.com/Rebuild-Small.../dp/1557883939
Just use ARP bolts and TQ per spec with a TQ wrench in the sequence noted in service manual
I found this book VERY helpful
https://www.amazon.com/Rebuild-Small.../dp/1557883939
I sounds like you are reading instructions on how to torque an LS1 head down using TTY bolts. For that you need a torque angle gauge. For LT1 heads you just need to torque to spec, no angles involved. Look over some of the how-to guides that have been generously posted above, they include the torque sequence and torque specs.
It sounds like since these bolts are not torque to yield, I don't need to worry about a degree wheel. I'll just torque in sequence to the proper value. Something like 15-30-65 ft/lbs over 3 passes? (or whatever ARP says to torque to)
Hmm, I never did it that way. I just torqued them. I did use a swap how-to with a similar guide to the ones posted above long ago. I never used a torque angle gauge. I never had any issues, but I don't want to perpetuate wrong information...
I've got these in my shopping cart now: ARP 134-3701, they are not torque to yield. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-134-3701
Neither have I. It's not necessary.
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TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Kernersville, NC
I think GM used non-tty for the first couple of years then went to tty for the head bolts.
I've been running ARP head bolts since around '09. Can't remember what torque value I settled on...I think it was either 65 or 70 lb-ft(3 steps in the correct sequence 30-50-final).
I didn't use the ARP lube to torque them as I used permatex high temp sealant(liberal amounts) on all the head bolts. The engine was not put into service for a few weeks after that...so the sealant did have plenty of time to cure before seeing any coolant.
So...almost ten years....no problems.
Edit...just looked it up and the '94 manual calls out 65 lb-ft in 3 steps. So no tty for that year. I think I settled on 70 lb-ft as ARP was calling out for a higher number, even with the recomended lube. I didn't want to go to the number they wanted.
'95 manual calls out 65 lb-ft(3-steps), '96 manual calls out for angle based final value. So, it appears that '96 was the first year for tty bolts.
I've been running ARP head bolts since around '09. Can't remember what torque value I settled on...I think it was either 65 or 70 lb-ft(3 steps in the correct sequence 30-50-final).
I didn't use the ARP lube to torque them as I used permatex high temp sealant(liberal amounts) on all the head bolts. The engine was not put into service for a few weeks after that...so the sealant did have plenty of time to cure before seeing any coolant.
So...almost ten years....no problems.
Edit...just looked it up and the '94 manual calls out 65 lb-ft in 3 steps. So no tty for that year. I think I settled on 70 lb-ft as ARP was calling out for a higher number, even with the recomended lube. I didn't want to go to the number they wanted.
'95 manual calls out 65 lb-ft(3-steps), '96 manual calls out for angle based final value. So, it appears that '96 was the first year for tty bolts.
Last edited by ACE1252; Jan 21, 2018 at 11:35 PM.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 853
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From: Kernersville, NC
Maybe, I can't say for certain, but the service manual for '95 calls out a torque valve with no additional angle.
Me personally, I would not reuse any head bolt unless I know for certain what they are....ARP for example. I will reuse them when I swap my heads out for AI ported units.
Me personally, I would not reuse any head bolt unless I know for certain what they are....ARP for example. I will reuse them when I swap my heads out for AI ported units.
For those without the manual, the numbers are as follows:
First pass, all bolts, in proper sequence, 22 ft/lbs.
Second pass, in proper sequence,
*short bolt...67 degrees of rotation;
*medium bolt...80 degrees of rotation;
*long bolt...80 degrees of rotation.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Kernersville, NC
I think Spartan is technically right. I looked at this last night and can't find where GM calls out for the head bolts to be replaced. In the forward of the engine section, they do mention that if something needs to be replaced, they would call it out...and they don't for the head bolts. They do for the head gaskets.
In the '98 manual, they do call for the head bolts not be reused...but of course that is LS1 stuff.
I think there is the general assumption that if you see angle torques, then the bolts very well may be TTY(I know I assumed it...).....but I could not verify in the service manual or parts manual that the head bolts are TTY. I don't know of any marks on a bolt that would call it out as TTY either.
I suppose one could chance reusing them, but I think the wiser move is to buy bolts you know are not TTY...which I have done(ARP).
I don't have a scan of the '97 manual, so it might say something there, but I can't find TTY specifically mentioned in the '96 manual for head bolts.
In the '98 manual, they do call for the head bolts not be reused...but of course that is LS1 stuff.
I think there is the general assumption that if you see angle torques, then the bolts very well may be TTY(I know I assumed it...).....but I could not verify in the service manual or parts manual that the head bolts are TTY. I don't know of any marks on a bolt that would call it out as TTY either.
I suppose one could chance reusing them, but I think the wiser move is to buy bolts you know are not TTY...which I have done(ARP).
I don't have a scan of the '97 manual, so it might say something there, but I can't find TTY specifically mentioned in the '96 manual for head bolts.