Elgin head bolt comparison
02-23-2013, 09:45 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Elgin head bolt comparison
I just bought a set of Elgin head bolts. The head is 1/2" instead of the stock 5/8". The shoulder seems a little wider at the top. Anyone use these before? Are they ok to use and will the torque specs be the same? Attached is a comparison photo. Thanks
02-23-2013, 10:37 PM
#3
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Think those style bolts were used on my 87 Vette with OEM aluminum heads (original OEM bolts).
As long as you are not looking for originality, they should work if same length. But I did have one of those OEM bolts stretch on me, and I have never had any of the original 5/8" head old style bolts do that.
Frankly, if I was looking for new head bolts (or any stressed bolt), I would go ARP.
Plasticman
As long as you are not looking for originality, they should work if same length. But I did have one of those OEM bolts stretch on me, and I have never had any of the original 5/8" head old style bolts do that.
Frankly, if I was looking for new head bolts (or any stressed bolt), I would go ARP.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 02-23-2013 at 10:43 PM.
02-24-2013, 08:16 AM
#7
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I don't see a thing in the world wrong with those bolts.
For my part when I re-do and engine, I re-use the head bolts that came out of the engine as long as the threads are in good condition. I keep a coffee can full of head bolts for spares.
If you're one of these guys that has to tinker all the time and pull the heads off every month, maybe you should use ARP bolts or even studs.
02-24-2013, 10:40 AM
#8
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If they have stretched, most times it is at the threads, and is noticiable when you try to run a standard nut up the cleaned threads. If the nut binds at any point as it is being run up, and you are sure the threads are clean, it is a good indicator the threads have stretched.
Later the OEMs starting using "torque to yield" bolts that are designed to stretch and be used one time only. But those bolts were never used on any C1 or C2 engine. Those type bolts are true "throw aways".
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 02-24-2013 at 10:43 AM.
02-24-2013, 10:54 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
02-24-2013, 11:19 AM
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St. Jude Donor '07
bolt material aside, what i DON'T like about his new bolts is the short thread length. while i am fully aware that the full strength of a bolted connection is ONE bolt diameter of thread engagement, the stripping of threads out of a connection is a function of the number of threads engaged.
looking at the pix, the new bolts have less threads...
Bill
looking at the pix, the new bolts have less threads...
Bill
02-24-2013, 11:56 AM
#13
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
http://www.karlperformance.com/product.cfm?InvKey=14212
I don't see a thing in the world wrong with those bolts.
For my part when I re-do and engine, I re-use the head bolts that came out of the engine as long as the threads are in good condition. I keep a coffee can full of head bolts for spares.
If you're one of these guys that has to tinker all the time and pull the heads off every month, maybe you should use ARP bolts or even studs.
I don't see a thing in the world wrong with those bolts.
For my part when I re-do and engine, I re-use the head bolts that came out of the engine as long as the threads are in good condition. I keep a coffee can full of head bolts for spares.
If you're one of these guys that has to tinker all the time and pull the heads off every month, maybe you should use ARP bolts or even studs.