although i have reused old bolts...
L98 Head Bolts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 377
Likes: 49
From: A place where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned
L98 Head Bolts
Are the head bolts on the L98 reusable? I was told by the guy at the machine shop where I took my heads that the bolts might be stretch bolts and need to be replaced prior to reinstalling the heads. Does this ring any bells or should I just change the bolts as a matter of good practice?
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
I reused the torque-to-yield head bolts on my LT1, and have ran the car hard for almost three years without a problem. Would I do it again, probably not. It's really not worth the risk.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Cotati CA
Originally Posted by dmyers
Where can I get them for $70 and do you have a part number by chance?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
When I rebuilt my engine I figured I could get by without replacing the headbolts. I always use anti-sieze for installation to ensure sealing and lubrication of threads. I got (believe this or not) ALL of them torqued down fine except the very last bolt. This sob broke! So, I had to get another set of head gaskets AND a new set of head bolts. Do replace them, you'll be much happier. I got mine from NAPA for about $70 as was stated but I would follow Dougs 90's advice and get the ARP bolts, they are re-usable. I would have but didn't want to wait for them to come in, NAPA was faster.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster Lancashire
Originally Posted by V's Vette
Is there any advantage to using either 6 point or 12 point bolts?
The 12 point heads are smaller and easier to get on in tight spaces.
If you are running a full roller rocker arm for example, you probably wont get on the head bolts near the rocker arms to retorque with a 6 point hex head. You should be able to with a 12 point head and a 'slim' socket. for the $3 or $4 difference, go for the 12 point heads, unless you want/need it to look stock. JMO
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 16
From: Calgary alberta
134 3701
The part # for 12 point heads is 134-3701 if you are using stock heads.
The 12 point heads are smaller and easier to get on in tight spaces.
If you are running a full roller rocker arm for example, you probably wont get on the head bolts near the rocker arms to retorque with a 6 point hex head. You should be able to with a 12 point head and a 'slim' socket. for the $3 or $4 difference, go for the 12 point heads, unless you want/need it to look stock. JMO
The 12 point heads are smaller and easier to get on in tight spaces.
If you are running a full roller rocker arm for example, you probably wont get on the head bolts near the rocker arms to retorque with a 6 point hex head. You should be able to with a 12 point head and a 'slim' socket. for the $3 or $4 difference, go for the 12 point heads, unless you want/need it to look stock. JMO
