Replace head bolts?

[Seattle Sam]

Hey Darren,
I believe you can re-use those bolts if you want to. Just clean em up good with a wire wheel, and run a thread chaser (or a tap)into the threaded holes in the block to make sure they are clean. Don't forget to put RTV on the threads to keep coolant out of your oil!

If you want to look original from the outside but have that warm secure feeling that comes from using the best, buy the ARP fasteners and use them in all the locations under the valve cover, then re-use the originals for the row of bolts outside the valve cover.

You could try contacting Rick's first gen or maybe SCW to see if they have a source for new bolts with the correct markings..

[Verne_Frantz]

Paragon...............the "Vette" people.
I don't have their catalog in front of me, but I believe they have new bolts with the right markings for most applications.
(I don't get a cut........just trying to help)

Verne

[Seattle Sam]

There ya go, the best of both worlds..make sure they are grade eight!
http://www.corvette-paragon.com/
Darren, if you are going to drive your car the way Rob drives his, I would DEFINITELY recommend new ARP fasteners!!!


-Sam

[Belair62]

Figures a Vette house would have them....

[Mr70]

They don't.
I have there current Catalog in Front of me.
EBay D.

[DarrenX33]

$400? No way!

[SuperNovaSS]

Is this it?

http://www.corvette-paragon.com/cata...A-145D6E688EB5

[SuperNovaSS]

Oh,that's big block. Ooops

[JoeG]

Really should go new----If your leaning more towards appearance rather than reliability---Check your thread landings for any signs of streching--even under the bolt head for galling----

[Pantera]

If you really want to use original head bolts then I recomend that you get a set of head bolt washers used for racing. Then scrounge the salvage yards for a old V8 SB or BB motor that is out of a original low mileage 4 door car and get the entire set. If you inspect them close you can tell if they look like they have been used before by the flat sides of the heads of the bolts. The are metal and will not wear out without help or over tightening.

Clean Clean Clean. both the block holes and the used head bolts. Be sure to use a thread sealant and start to tighten them using a good tork wrench and start at 20 lbs under final value and keep working in a circle starting at the center head bolts and work out increasing it by 10 lbs at least two times. If any bolts don't feel the same as the others stop. Pitch it and start that side completely over.

You can reuse GM head bolts many times if you don't over tork them past their recomended value for your motor. The most important thing is to use good head gaskets. If you insist on using OEM GM steel ones I had good luck and never blew one when I put them on I would hang them on a hook and spray them with silver krylon and slap them on the block while they were still wet. The last and most important thing is to re-tork them one last time while the motor is hot after you get it running.

I have done this too many times over the years and never had a problem. Be sure to use a quality 6 point socket from a tool truck and not just any orential junk. If it don't have a known name brand on the tools you use, you may be sorry.

Pantera