140cilx said:12 pt, 13 mm for stock headbolts, to the best of my recollection.

Pro-Hawk said:Yup and 13mm 6pt for aftermarket. If your removing the head I would sudjuest replacing the head bolts as cheap insurance. Since over time they have seen a lot of use and stress, now that is just my opinion.

Stinger said:6pt aren't aftermarket, they are TTY (torque to yield) used in the newer motors. If you have 12pt then don't bother replacing them...if you do, send them to me...don't throw them away![]()

140cilx said:yeah, me likey the 12 pt, hate the 6 pt. If you've gottem, keep'em.
Now I like the 12pt bolts my self but the only ones I could find in the 12pt was a set of ARP head studs, which I really don't need.
. If not once you put the racket socket over the nut, give it a good bang to TRY to break up the rust alittle then try unbolting it. Also sometimes you may try tightening it a little first if it turns better that way, then unbolten it. Couple tricks that worked for me in the past.Lex said:When I took my flange off the manifold I had to use heat to lossen the nuts. I'm not sure if you have a torch to do that. I'm lucky cause my Dad has his own mechanic shop. If not once you put the racket socket over the nut, give it a good bang to TRY to break up the rust alittle then try unbolting it. Also sometimes you may try tightening it a little first if it turns better that way, then unbolten it. Couple tricks that worked for me in the past.
Pro-Hawk said:I bought a set of Fel Pro which are 6 pt head bolts for a 2.3T. As for the old 12 pts we may could do some trading![]()
Stinger said:6pt aren't aftermarket, they are TTY (torque to yield) used in the newer motors. If you have 12pt then don't bother replacing them...if you do, send them to me...don't throw them away![]()
Whether the old way or new way of bolts is better is a whole other story but if it was me I would always replace the head bolts, rod bolts, and mains when ever I had it apart. These bolts go through a ton of stress and exspecaily on a turbo motor since it puts more heat/pressure out than a N/A 2.3L does. I say again that is just my opinion.