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1989, head gasket being done in car.
I have both the ARP studs and the OEM bolts.
Heads ready to go, block clean.
Plan to assemble tomorrow.
Leaning towards the bolts.
Which would you use?.......why?
While I am at it, for the head gasket, felpro or factory?
got both as well.
, bolts are more than adequate for a street driven daily driver. original bolts must be clean and threads chased, and I have never used original bolts more than 1X past original, factory install. thought I read somewhere not to use OE bolts more than 2X past original installation - however, have nothing to back that up. over the last twenty years or so, I've opted for new bolts, and lately new ARP's. unless you're on a budget, new bolts and one less thing to worry about. head gaskets - my last use was felpro - no issues. lost a little compression due to compressed thickness (.038 felpro vs. .015 OE steel shim) - to be honest, SOTP, can't tell the difference. felpro's will be a little more forgiving with the whole surface flatness thing.
Update!
Here is photo of a FelPro gasket on top of the dealer gasket.
The FelPro covers the block and head, the "extra" of the dealer gasket does not appear to have any function.
Do I have an incorrect dealer gasket?
Update!
Here is photo of a FelPro gasket on top of the dealer gasket.
The FelPro covers the block and head, the "extra" of the dealer gasket does not appear to have any function. Do I have an incorrect dealer gasket?
don't know. what is the part number of the "dealer" gasket? I have seen "replacement" head gaskets configured as shown, but not many. usually, they are aftermarket and have more than one application. should be easy enough to cross reference the PN vs. application. the original head gasket part number for the 1989 L98 corvette is 14088948. it's discontinued, and don't know the service replacement part number, but thinking it might be GM 10105117. when you say "dealer" gasket, do you have a "genuine GM, OE part?" BTW, i'm assuming the felpros are 7733's.
It is not ideal to re-use the factory head bolts. Realistically, you will probably not have a problem, but if I was doing the job I would use new bolts. Just my $.02
01-15-2019, 08:09 PM
ARP studs or factory bolts?
, bolts are more than adequate for a street driven daily driver. original bolts must be clean and threads chased, and I have never used original bolts more than 1X past original, factory install. thought I read somewhere not to use OE bolts more than 2X past original installation - however, have nothing to back that up. over the last twenty years or so, I've opted for new bolts, and lately new ARP's. unless you're on a budget, new bolts and one less thing to worry about. head gaskets - my last use was felpro - no issues. lost a little compression due to compressed thickness (.038 felpro vs. .015 OE steel shim) - to be honest, SOTP, can't tell the difference. felpro's will be a little more forgiving with the whole surface flatness thing. 
