• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Can I re-use stock headblots?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jaymac
  • Start date Start date Jun 27, 2005

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Jun 27, 2005
#1
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #1
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

BANNED
Founding Member
Jan 17, 2002
2,567
0
46
Covington
Jun 27, 2005
#2
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #2
I have reused them in the past without a failure. I wouldnt re-use them more than once.
 

5.0 con-vert

No soup for you, Joe Rogan!!!
Jun 7, 2005
244
4
39
Boca Raton, FL
Jun 27, 2005
#3
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #3
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

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Jun 27, 2005
#4
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #4
"do it right the first time" -- got it. I love figuring those little things out
 

bullitstang1313

Member
Jan 21, 2003
713
0
16
Indianapolis / Columbus, Indiana
Jun 27, 2005
#5
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #5
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

New Member
Apr 6, 2004
646
0
0
Jun 27, 2005
#6
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #6
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

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Jun 27, 2005
#7
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #7
blkstangman, sorry to hear about your mis-fortune, but I'm glad I heard the real consequences from someone!!
Thanks!
Jeremy
 

blkstangman88

New Member
Apr 6, 2004
646
0
0
Jun 27, 2005
#8
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #8
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

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Jun 27, 2005
#9
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #9
Amen!
 

Zero_chance

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,244
7
59
Maricopa, AZ
Jun 27, 2005
#10
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #10
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.
 
M

Matts89LX5.0

Founding Member
Nov 1, 2002
1,314
0
36
Long Island, NY
Jun 27, 2005
#11
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #11
dip them in oil before you reuse so that the threads don't stretch
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Jun 27, 2005
#12
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #12
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.
 
O

onedownfiveup

Founding Member
Nov 27, 2000
2,341
0
0
Overland Park, Kansas
Jun 27, 2005
#13
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #13
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

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Jun 27, 2005
#14
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #14
Dip them in oil? What is this, fondue?
 

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Jun 27, 2005
#15
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #15
Michael Yount said:
HEADBOLTS. HEABLOTS should never be re-used under any circumstances.
Click to expand...
Hardy-Har-Har, Michael.
Touche'.
I have DKS (Dyslexic Keybord Syndrome).
It's not my falut.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Jun 27, 2005
#16
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #16
Did you hear about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac who lay in bed awake all night wondering if there really was a dog?
 

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
0
0
Northern Mass
Jun 27, 2005
#17
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #17
Ah, so you HAVE heard about me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Suspension Harsh Ride
  • PonyGTrider
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 11, 2026
Noobz347
J
88 Foxbody 5.0 Driveshaft Issue! Need Help
  • James Hood
  • May 1, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
466
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 1, 2025
AeroCoupe
Engine Catch Can or not?
  • R82148V
  • Mar 4, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
9
Views
355
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 6, 2026
ctandc
C
Weber Carburetor tuning help
  • SchwarzStock
  • Jul 6, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
58
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 8, 2026
SchwarzStock
K
3.8 T5 & Bellhousing to 1987 Lincoln 5.0
  • ks65stang
  • Mar 2, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
3
Views
299
Other Auto Tech Mar 3, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?