reinstalling heads
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Historically, no. Some of the newer engines with "Torque To Yield" (TTY) head bolts should be changed every time they are torqued. Not so with a conventional Gen I, or Gen II, SBC engine. The factory SBC head bolts are good for several reuses. If you feel them stretch or they feel spongy, replace them. Also, make sure the threads are clean, both on the bolts and in the block.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
Historically, no. Some of the newer engines with "Torque To Yield" (TTY) head bolts should be changed every time they are torqued. Not so with a conventional Gen I, or Gen II, SBC engine. The factory SBC head bolts are good for several reuses. If you feel them stretch or they feel spongy, replace them. Also, make sure the threads are clean, both on the bolts and in the block.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: Humble Texas
the head bolts, I just picked up my heads from the machine shop,he
didnt think i needed to replace them,but because ive heard two differant opinons, ive decided to replace them i figured at $35.00 was a small price to pay .... hoping to install tomorrow
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I was told my '85 had TTY bolts and I figured what the heck I've re-used head bolts lots of times. I had done the entire torque sequence three times and on the last bolt of the last sequence the dirty sob broke. You made the right move getting the new headbolts. If they are ARP, be sure and use the washers and the lube that comes with them, if they are another brand then 30 wt. motor oil will work as a lube.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Look at a service manual and see what they say the torque setting is. As I had posted earlier, they changed to the torque to yeild bolts. ( I called them stretch bolts :o) in the latter model LT1.
But if the torque for your car shows something like torque to 15lbs, then turn each 1/4 a turn etc. Do not reuse those bolts.
Most people I know, replace the bolts with ARP head bolts, and then use the earlier torque settings.
But if the torque for your car shows something like torque to 15lbs, then turn each 1/4 a turn etc. Do not reuse those bolts.
Most people I know, replace the bolts with ARP head bolts, and then use the earlier torque settings.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
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