Coating on head bolts before reinstall ?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Coating on head bolts before reinstall ? (keekster)
When you say re-install do you mean install new ones or re-use your old ones? You're really not supposed to re-use head bolts anyway because they stretch when you torque them the first time.
That being said I used ARP bolts with the ARP thread sealer / assembly lube, that stuff does wonders, it lowers the friction so much that the required torque spec is like 20 pounds lower than if you had just used oil alone. So far so good I haven't had one single problem. I also used ARP assembly lube on my header bolts. It allowed me to tighten them much easier and none of them have backed out at all.
That being said I used ARP bolts with the ARP thread sealer / assembly lube, that stuff does wonders, it lowers the friction so much that the required torque spec is like 20 pounds lower than if you had just used oil alone. So far so good I haven't had one single problem. I also used ARP assembly lube on my header bolts. It allowed me to tighten them much easier and none of them have backed out at all.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Camarillo CA
Re: Coating on head bolts before reinstall ? (keekster)
I bought new bolts from GM and used "Permatex High Temperature Thread Sealant" with excellent results. Comes in a white tube. Good stuff IMO. I cleaned and chased theads in block.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: Coating on head bolts before reinstall ? (sunrise.cm)
To get proper torque readings, you should use whatever the manufacturer suggests using. Some require engine oil, some require cam lube, others a teflon-based sealant, etc.
ARP suggests using Childs & Albert assembly lube.
ARP suggests using Childs & Albert assembly lube.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Coating on head bolts before reinstall ? (keekster)
is it a real bad idea to reuse your old bolts ?
When I did, I found a bunch of information. The short story, they should be replaced. I bought new bolts from GM but found it difficult to use the Torque Angle Meter. Next time, I would use standard ARP head bolts that are not TTY. They are only $45/set.
As a side note, I could not find in the Helms shop manual any instructions whether or not they should be replaced.
Scoggin-Dickey sells a complete set for $27.
[Modified by Mez, 4:02 PM 12/4/2002]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
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
