I think my 283 has a blown head gasket. Should I replace the old bolts or are they reusable? I'm thinking that if I can find some right away I will since they aren't expensive, but I was just wondering if it was standard operating procedure with those who are experienced with tearing down engines.
New head bolts are cheap! But I have reused many, many head bolts with no problems on mild builds! Bones
If the threads are not rusted away, I'd reuse them. Some modern engines have torque-to-yield head bolts, and they need to be replaced when you remove them. But old engines like the 283, you can re use them. Been doing it for decades.
Whatever you choose to do use a thread chaser on the block, not a tap. And I like to add harden washers under head bolts. Those will be ARP. Remember in those engines the bolts do go into the water jackets. In the past Pioneer was a good replacement brand but I do not know any more. I continue to use their Pontiac flex plate grade 8’s on GMC flywheels because of the shoulder.
If it’s a clean bolt with no rust I say use it. An old oem bolt will be of better quality then an A/M bolt of unknown origin. like @squirrel said if it was a torque to yield bolt , or rusty/crusty then replace it. Other wise how often do you replace bell housing or wheel lug or ball joint etc hardware ? When it’s showing signs of age or wear.
Everything in this country uses nuts and bolts and threads to stay in operation. Guess how many domestic bolt manufactures there are
Old cars had head bolts meant to last the life of the car. If the engine is really old and has been apart several times it may be a good idea to replace them. There is such a thing as metal fatigue. Torque to yield bolts came in with aluminum heads in the eighties. They were deliberately made weak to not over stress the soft aluminum, and are only good for one use. In your case I would use the old bolts unless they show signs of wear, corrosion or stretching.
some can be reused once or twice , the manufacturer will have a spec on stretch that you can measure. On torque to yield I replace them as a rule regardless of cost. BMW had an issue with head gaskets that turned really bad as they reused torque to yield bolts with disastrous results. anyways, back to your regularly schedule Program
If it is out of a vette than use studs for the ultra high compression (it will be painted orange) but if out of a truck re-use the originals.
Clean up the threads on a wire wheel and reuse. I use Stag sealant on the ones going into water jackets.
I changed a set of gaskets on a '90s t-bird that had a v-6... I did re-use the torque to yield head bolts on it.. the car ran for 3 years with out any problems... I got lucky I guess....
Re-use. Unless you want to spend the money for 327/325hp head bolts so it will handle higher horsepower. I'll sell you a set
People forget that back in the day,,,,,,American quality was the best in the world ! Go back to the Flathead and Ford bolts,,,,,as long as not rusted bad,,,,still as good as new . And General Motors,,,,,top quality back then as well . Also,,,,let’s not forget Mopar,,,,,high nickel blocks,,,,strong forged crankshafts,,,,,heads that could get overheated and still not be cracked . Back then,,,,,it was expected,,,,,and the public demanded it too . I kind of think it was left over from the war effort,,,,,,everybody pulled together and tried their best . anyway,,,,,if the old 283 bolts clean up good,,,,,use them,,,,probably still be around after we are gone ! Tommy
If an engine has got really hot, it will take the temper out of bolts. In regards to torque to yield, Ford oem bolts can be reused 3 times before discarding. That info came direct from Ford. The other brands I have no idea. Most of us wire brushed bolts and reused them for decades. As long as the surfaces were in spec, there weren't problems.
The Chevy V8s have the head bolt holes going into the water jacket, on the block. The bolts get rusty from not using anti freeze or rust inhibitor in the cooling system. Pretty common on old engines.
Chevy head bolts work good to hold my Ford blocks on my engine stand. Good and strong and easy to find used ones with all the chevy guys replacing them with ARP bolts. I have reused many OEM head bolts.
You only need 1 of those bolts to strip a thread and then you will be doing a lot more work. Rust and tension have worked on them for 50 years. Spend a few bucks and do it right!
Spoken like a true salesman LOL When is the last time you experienced , or talked with someone who experienced , a failure , on a street motor , using stock parts , that was attributed to reusing head bolts ?
I chase those threads with a good quality 3 flute spiral OSG tap.... Here's a 1/2-13 we use in the cncs and bottom tapping.... They damn near last forever...
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