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The reworked 100.6 cc heads are going back on the project 454. Do I need to use new head bolts (ARP) or should the old ones be ok - if they look ok? CR should be at 10:1.
If it were me, I would go with new, unstreched bolts. I do not have a big block so I have no idea as to what they cost. I recently purchased new GM head bolts for a small block and the cost was in the $20 price range; enough for both heads.
Don't even think about using nothing but new ARP head bolts!
ARP does make good bolts. I have not heard of anyone having problems when they installed new GM bolts. But then again, I have only been a member for just over a year. Perhaps someone could chime in with a horror story and how ARP solved the problem.
GM has lots of experience when it comes to head bolts. I used a set of GMPP head bolts in my SB. 29 bucks and they even come with sealant already on the bolts
But FYI.... if the heads were holding compression before you tore it down, chances are the bolts have not been over-torqued or over-stretched and can be re-used. I've been building engines professionally since about 1965 and have re-used the original bolts in many, many rebuilds (not all) without a single failure. Depends on the application and my assessment of the bolts.
But hey.... this is a Vette we're talking about here... not a milk truck, eh?
ARP makes stuff they don't even have in their catalog. Sometimes you have to call and ask. Cool company. Awesome toys.