Can I re-use stock headblots?

[jaymac]

I know I "can", as the manual says you "can't" re-use the V6 headblots, but you CAN re-use the V8's.
But is there any real detriment to reusing the stock bolts?
Just asking -
J

 

[hllon4whls]

I have reused them in the past without a failure. I wouldnt re-use them more than once.

 

[5.0 con-vert]

I wouldn't take the risk. Especially since a new set only costs 30-40 bucks! You know that the constant heat and cold, not to mention the torque, stretches them out as they get older. You can reuse them, but for the price of new bolts, DIRTFT!

 

[jaymac]

"do it right the first time" -- got it. I love figuring those little things out

 

[bullitstang1313]

Head bolts are usually "torque to yield" which means as you torque them they stretch past their elastic range and don't return to original length. Definetly replace them. You dont want to have to deal with head gasket leaks later on.

 

[blkstangman88]

I reused my head bolts when i replaced my headgaskets, and boy, what a mistake, i weknt through that pair of gaskets in about a month, blew them right out. spend the little bit of money and do it right. plus i wouldnt want to take a chance and break it off in the block.

 

[jaymac]

blkstangman, sorry to hear about your mis-fortune, but I'm glad I heard the real consequences from someone!!
Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[blkstangman88]

just goes to show, spend the little bit of money on a new set and torque them down right the first time or ull pay twice as much the second time.

 

[jaymac]

Amen!

 

[Zero_chance]

The older Mustangs didnt use torque-to-yeild but a lot of people put them in. Ive reused stock head bolts on a friends car before but never torque to yeild. You can tell the difference in the size and head of the bolt. I only reused the stock ones because it was a Sunday night and the next monday was a holiday and we didnt want to wait in PA for two more days. Torqued them to spec and drove it home. He checked the torque on them several times and hes been driving with them ever since. No problems to date and its going on a year. He drives it a lot too but doesnt drive it hard. Long story short if you have the cash might as well get ARP equipment. The better quality parts you use in the begining the less headaches youll have in the end.

 

[Matts89LX5.0]

dip them in oil before you reuse so that the threads don't stretch

 

[Michael Yount]

If they are torque-to-yield bolts - no, you can't re-use them. If they aren't - then they can be re-used IF they haven't been over-torqued and yielded.

The only way to be certain usually is to simply replace them with ARP standard high tensile strength fasteners.

That's for HEADBOLTS. HEABLOTS should never be re-used under any circumstances.

 

[onedownfiveup]

If you have to, dip them in oil before installing them. Also, if you can wait, order some ARP Head Bolts they are like $39

 

[Michael Yount]

Dip them in oil? What is this, fondue?

 

[jaymac]

HEADBOLTS. HEABLOTS should never be re-used under any circumstances.

Hardy-Har-Har, Michael.
Touche'.
I have DKS (Dyslexic Keybord Syndrome).
It's not my falut.

 

[Michael Yount]

Did you hear about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac who lay in bed awake all night wondering if there really was a dog?

 

[jaymac]

Ah, so you HAVE heard about me!