head bolts

sn95gtvert · Oct 27, 2009

anyone ever reuse head bolts? i know arp bolts are the shit but i just dont have the money. or does anyone know where to get stock replacement bolts for cheap?

95-stang · Oct 27, 2009

I have except never where the bolts are "torque to yield" [or as we call them in the trade "stretch bolts"] as you stand a good chance of snapping them off.
Its not always good economy using some old bolts, a visible inspection can often tell you wether replacement is the best option.

LAFENATU · Oct 27, 2009

Never re-use head bolts

sn95gtvert · Oct 29, 2009

will these work for my application, why are they so much cheaper then the rest?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-154-3601/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-154-3701/

the other day all i was finding for any head bolts was like, 120+ will either of these be fine with gt40 heads?

ttocs · Oct 29, 2009

if you re-use bolts, you have been lucky to never have one break and REALLY lucky that you didn't get to go through the trouble of getting a nice rusted one out.........

I was lucky and had the stock bolt break off on the first car I ever tried to take the heads off of. I will NEVER re-use bolts..........

LAFENATU · Oct 29, 2009

ARP head bolts are like $50 at summit.

NoMercy94 · Oct 29, 2009

i have reused arp bolts and have not had any problems but i would not reuse stock bolts

95-stang · Oct 29, 2009

ttocs said:
if you re-use bolts, you have been lucky to never have one break and REALLY lucky that you didn't get to go through the trouble of getting a nice rusted one out.........

I was lucky and had the stock bolt break off on the first car I ever tried to take the heads off of. I will NEVER re-use bolts..........

Maybe, but last week i had a head gasket job to do on a Megane Scenic and 1 of the brand new stretch bolts snapped, fortunately 1" proud of the block surface and it had'nt got near to where it was the right torque.
These were genuine Renault bolts and i had re-tapped all the thread holes beforehand so never kid yourself new bolts are 100% either and its not the first or last time i expect one to break. You may have missed my point as no-one would use re-use rusty old damaged bolts, if they do good luck.
All i'm saying is you can, and maybe get away with it, if you have no alternative.
In over 35 years doing cars i've probably removed more rusty sheared-off\snapped bolts than most people have had hot dinners.