Aluminum Head needs
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Aluminum Head needs
I recently installed ZZ4 heads on my 1975.
I have about 300 miles on it now and will soon re-torque the heads.
Talking to a friend he said I needed to and should of purchased a "Stud Kit" for the upgrade.
I reused the stock head bolts.
Did I do something wrong?
What do you think?
Ralph
I have about 300 miles on it now and will soon re-torque the heads.
Talking to a friend he said I needed to and should of purchased a "Stud Kit" for the upgrade.
I reused the stock head bolts.
Did I do something wrong?
What do you think?
Ralph
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
A stud kit? Nope, not on a street driven car. He's obviously never had to pull a set of heads in a vehicle with studs installed, because you can't do it without first pulling all the studs.
Stick with a quality set of head bolts (gm bolts are fine), but be sure you are using hardened steel washers with them to prevent galling the aluminum.
Stick with a quality set of head bolts (gm bolts are fine), but be sure you are using hardened steel washers with them to prevent galling the aluminum.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Some would say to not reuse head bolts just like not reusing a cotter pin or lock nut. But I've done it on relatively low 9:1 to 10:1 compression SBC street engines with no problems. And I never lost any sleep over it. But I did know that those bolts were virgin with only the factory torque on them. I'd be wary of head bolts from an unknown source.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
I recently installed ZZ4 heads on my 1975.
I have about 300 miles on it now and will soon re-torque the heads.
Talking to a friend he said I needed to and should of purchased a "Stud Kit" for the upgrade.
I reused the stock head bolts.
Did I do something wrong?
What do you think?
Ralph
I have about 300 miles on it now and will soon re-torque the heads.
Talking to a friend he said I needed to and should of purchased a "Stud Kit" for the upgrade.
I reused the stock head bolts.
Did I do something wrong?
What do you think?
Ralph
As for retorquing, that is not at all uncommon with aluminum heads and shouldnt be anything you need to worry about, usually after one retorquing you are good to go.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Thanks guys, that's what I thought.
The head bolts had 90,000 miles on them.
All the bearings and the bore were stock.
I re-ringed the engine, new bearings, Lunati cam, and Edelbrock Performer manifold and ZZ4 heads.
She is not a slug anymore.
Ralph
The head bolts had 90,000 miles on them.
All the bearings and the bore were stock.
I re-ringed the engine, new bearings, Lunati cam, and Edelbrock Performer manifold and ZZ4 heads.
She is not a slug anymore.
Ralph
