Heads on Ls2
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
Requires new head bolts. Need a Torque Angle guage.
Service Manual describes -
For the 10 M11 bolts inside the valve cover:
Starting in the center working your way out, first pass to 22 lb ft.
Second Pass to 90 degress.
Third Pass to 70 degress.
Then tighten the 5 M8 bolts outside the valve cover:
Starting in the center, just one pass to 22 lb ft.
Service Manual describes -
For the 10 M11 bolts inside the valve cover:
Starting in the center working your way out, first pass to 22 lb ft.
Second Pass to 90 degress.
Third Pass to 70 degress.
Then tighten the 5 M8 bolts outside the valve cover:
Starting in the center, just one pass to 22 lb ft.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
I installed new stock GM Torque to Yield head bolts once. Although cheap, they were not worth the cost/effort to mess with a torque angle meter. If you over torque them, the stretch too far, they loose their clamping force and you have to replace it.
My recommendation is to go with basic ARP all the way.
My recommendation is to go with basic ARP all the way.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Just the 411 on the stock bolts. If you go in for warranty work and a head comes off under warranty, the manual says to re-use the same bolts. If you go in after the waaranty period, they use new ones.
source: Brad at ramp chevy in port jeff NY
source: Brad at ramp chevy in port jeff NY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Important:
• Do not use the cylinder head bolts again. Install NEW cylinder head bolts during assembly.
• Do not use any type of sealant on the cylinder head gasket, unless specified.
• The cylinder head gaskets must be installed in the proper direction and position.
From the 2007 manual:
Important: The cylinder head bolts are NOT reusable.
Did Brad actually say that the procedure was to reuse the bolts if the car was under warranty?
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
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
I researched the TTY (Torque to Yield) head bolts when I was having my LT-4 heads ported.
The conclusion was DO NOT reuse TTY bolts because during the installation, they "stretch" to achieve the correct clamping force. If they are reused, when you turn the bolts per the angle spec, there is no way to tell if the clamping force is correct. Think about a rubber band. The first time you stretch it, it has a high resistance. The next time, less.
Although I was unable to confirmed in my research, my theory is the thermal expansion/contraction of the aluminum heads are served better with TTY bolts that can stretch/contract a few thousands to maintain consistent clamping force to the block. Of course, head gaskets material also have a lot to do with maintaining a good seal.
The conclusion was DO NOT reuse TTY bolts because during the installation, they "stretch" to achieve the correct clamping force. If they are reused, when you turn the bolts per the angle spec, there is no way to tell if the clamping force is correct. Think about a rubber band. The first time you stretch it, it has a high resistance. The next time, less.
Although I was unable to confirmed in my research, my theory is the thermal expansion/contraction of the aluminum heads are served better with TTY bolts that can stretch/contract a few thousands to maintain consistent clamping force to the block. Of course, head gaskets material also have a lot to do with maintaining a good seal.
