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 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
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
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.
