Stock head bolt Q

[RS12Turbo]

alrighty...before I get bashed......I searched and looked through stickies, so either I missed it, or it wasn't there..........seems like I read it somewhere though

Anywho.......getting ready to replace my hg, and was told I should replace my head bolts as well. I assume I need ca18de Pulsar SE head bolts....correct? Can some confirm...thanks
Modified by RS12Turbo at 4:42 PM 5/17/2009

[boost_boy]

alrighty...before I get bashed......I searched and looked through stickies, so either I missed it, or it wasn't there..........seems like I read it somewhere though

Anywho.......getting ready to replace my hg, and was told I should replace my head bolts as well. I assume I need ca18de Pulsar SE head bolts....correct? Can some confirm...thanks

Modified by RS12Turbo at 4:42 PM 5/17/2009

Indeed! The pulsar headbolts are the same as your DET pieces.

Dee

[rico05]

But we don't drive Hondas so you can resue them up to 3 times. Just add about 3-5ft/lb.

[RS12Turbo]

But we don't drive Hondas so you can resue them up to 3 times. Just add about 3-5ft/lb.

hmmmmmm, I had thought I had read that they could be re-used......but then Boost_boy responded to my question about not re-using them in another thread........

No re-using OE headbolts. They stretch and you will be disappointed. You can just replace them with a new set of stock bolts if you want or use the ARP stuff. Dee

So....which is it? There only like 40 bucks for a new set ( I think), maybe I should buy a new set to be safe

[float_6969]

Maybe you could be our guinea pig? You could buy a new set and take some pics and a micrometer to them and see if they do stretch.

[bentvalves]

thread stretch can not be measured like that.

[RS12Turbo]

Maybe you could be our guinea pig? You could buy a new set and take some pics and a micrometer to them and see if they do stretch.

mmmmm, how about no. I'll let someone else be that guinea pig

[bradt]

Maybe you could be our guinea pig? You could buy a new set and take some pics and a micrometer to them and see if they do stretch.

Going to Qatar for four months. When I get back, I'll get on this. I have wondered myself, as I have heard you can re-use them.

Time for some hard data.

[sjbsuperman1425]

i've heard from an engine builder you can usually re-use headbolts around 2-3 times..in the engine service class i took, whenever we were tightening them back down, it was usually stated in the FSM by specifying "install new headbolts"..

also, it usually isn't the torque that breaks them, its when you do the angle them that they can break.

[boost_boy]

hmmmmmm, I had thought I had read that they could be re-used......but then Boost_boy responded to my question about not re-using them in another thread........

So....which is it? There only like 40 bucks for a new set ( I think), maybe I should buy a new set to be safe

I've re-used them in the past and found that they will stretch. The 1st time it happened was back in 2000 after I had changed a melted piston. I put on a new HG, torqued the oem bolts down and drove the car for a few days. One day I had my family in the car (more load) and the H/G blew after trying to drive it a tad bit harder with everyone in it. When I pulled the head again, the h/g let go between cylinders 2 & #, but did it in a not so violent way; enough for me to detemine that the headbolts were done. I put in some new stockers and away I went until I got fancy with standalones and ARP studs and cams and things of that nature and that oem stuff went out the door .

Dee

[RS12Turbo]

Thank you sir.....think i will replace them to play it safe.Never seen it mentioned anywhere....but can new oem head bolts be used with a mls gasket. I don't see why not, but I figured I'd ask

[boost_boy]

Thank you sir.....think i will replace them to play it safe.Never seen it mentioned anywhere....but can new oem head bolts be used with a mls gasket

Yes they can! I had an engine delivered to me with the same thing. Personally, I wouldn't mx them up, but I don't see the true harm in it, either.

Dee

[RS12Turbo]

Thanks again........I think I will try a set of new oem bolts, since the price is right.....and if I have issues, then I'll order a set of arp's

[dash]

Won't the service manual clearly state if.... ? Lots on sxoc reuse stock head bolts. They have more long-running 3-400+hp CA18s than anyone elsewon't hurt to replace 'em, especially if u have no idea of times reused