head bolts

[sjbsuperman1425]

my friend is putting his head back on the his car tomorrow and was wondering if he can re-use the stock head bolts with no ill effects. I've warned against it, but just want to be sure. Thanks.

[dizzywithsunstroke]

i am also wondering the same thing.

[eh?]

The correct answer is no because they are torque to yield. Honestly I have reused stock head bolts but replaced them later on with arp's.

[Carl H]

you can as the manual states that you should be able to but in practice it is best to replace them...arp replacements are 'cheap' anyways and provide more then enough clamping force.

[Darius]

As others have stated, ARPs are cheap relative to the importance of them and the safety factor they provide.

[sjbsuperman1425]

The correct answer is no because they are torque to yield. Honestly I have reused stock head bolts but replaced them later on with arp's.

thats what he wants to do.

[eh?]

What about the headgasket?

[kpodj61240]

i dont think u can reuse a head gasket on any car once it is tourqed its crushed to that specific pattern and will never be the same and will cause leaks. so im saying no to be on the safe side. it would be a b1tch to end up replacing it after u have all back together

[eh?]

i dont think u can reuse a head gasket on any car once it is tourqed its crushed to that specific pattern and will never be the same and will cause leaks. so im saying no to be on the safe side. it would be a b1tch to end up replacing it after u have all back together

Depends on the HG type. I've reused a Grex MLS hg with the stock head bolts and later replaced with arp's with no problems. With a new oem hg it would be wise just wait and get the arp's rather than replacing the hg again.

[kpodj61240]

well in that case can i reuse my cometic (it would be nice when i do my head build)

[gawdzilla]

might be able to reuse even a stock HG if you don't lift the head up and are just changing studs out... i've personally never done it though

[Carl H]

if the engine is drained completely (block included) of coolant then you might be able to change the headbolts without disturbing the hg...most head gasket jobs ive done require quite a bit of effort to 'crack' the seal of the head to block that the hg makes.im not sure i would try it and i'd rather spend the 100$ on new bolts for peace of mind.