Question about headbolts

gtsfirefighter

SM Expert on White trash
Sep 26, 2006
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Figit090 said:
i didnt read it all...but...why not leave them in? did one break?

i used them over again...and i believe this is the 2nd time its been done. they're reusable even as per-TSRM. they arent the best, but if you aren't going big HP or metal HG...they're fine.

That was going to be my question. Can you reuse your stock headbolts and what do yall recommend I torque them too with a OEM HG?
 

supramacist

Banned
Apr 8, 2006
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I wouldn't use the stock head bolts I would go arp studs and torque them to right qround 75ftlbs. And retorque after a few heating cycles byt the third time you should be set, just keep changing that oil.
 

gtsfirefighter

SM Expert on White trash
Sep 26, 2006
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supramacist said:
I wouldn't use the stock head bolts I would go arp studs and torque them to right qround 75ftlbs. And retorque after a few heating cycles byt the third time you should be set, just keep changing that oil.

How expensive are ARP. I've read in order to do studs you need to remove the engine. Well that ain't happening right away so can you get ARP bolts?
When you retorque I guess you have to take the y-pipe and throttlebody off and cams out or can you do it without taking the cams out. Sorry to sound stupid but I'm still learning.:icon_conf
 

Figit090

Fastest mk3 GT4 1/4 mile!
Jan 7, 2006
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you don't have to remove the engine as far as i know. at the very worst i could see the engine being unbolted and lifted or scooted forward because the studs will stick up, and you have to drop the head down onto them... take a look at your engine and notice how very close the firewall is to the back of the head...not much room to mess with...and i would imagine myself having a hell of a time getting it on without marring the head on a stud... BLAH

bolts will run about 75-80 i believe. studs a little more...figure 90-100 to be safe. oh and yes you can get ARP bolts. but again...the stockers are re-usable. i have a whole HUGE thread on this and i guess i could go back and quote people who told me this. i believe they were reputable...

you're not stupid, once you have the cam covers off its obvious though. you remove the intake, whichever way is most convenient...y-pipe or plenum (be prepared to get new seals for whichever ones you crack apart) and remove the covers. then proceed with the head bolts.

but refresh me here, what do you want to do, and why? I read that you want to change out the bolts...but they're already in there. why are you a "dumbass" did you blow the gasket again? what ft/lbs did you torque them down to?
 

notmymk3

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Aug 27, 2006
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o i said i was a dumass for reusing them again i didnt blow another HG. i reused my old ones when i was fixing the previous BHG if that made any sense. I didnt break any of them. I heard toyota used stretch type bolts only good for one use so i was curious if it was a good idea to change them to ARP while the HG is good
 

Figit090

Fastest mk3 GT4 1/4 mile!
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umm....well. considering i've been told they are fine, and the TSRM does NOT place a "replace this part" diamond in any of their instruction about the head. later i will find my thread and i might even find some pages out of the huge thing for you to read. i think you're fine.

what ft/lbs did you go to when you torqued them down?
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
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Feb 10, 2006
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Re-torque your stock head bolts to 75 ft/lbs in two passes (70 then 75) using the TRSM pattern and you'll be fine. I'd run the car for a couple of weeks and re-check the torque just to be on the safe side.

I've been looking into this and can't find a good reason not to re-use the stock head bolts. They do stretch (but so do ARP's)...it appears the stock head bolts are actually quite good from what I can see. I think you would do more harm than good by removing them and replacing w/ ARP at this point.
 

Figit090

Fastest mk3 GT4 1/4 mile!
Jan 7, 2006
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jdub said:
Re-torque your stock head bolts to 75 ft/lbs in two passes (70 then 75) using the TRSM pattern and you'll be fine. I'd run the car for a couple of weeks and re-check the torque just to be on the safe side.

I've been looking into this and can't find a good reason not to re-use the stock head bolts. They do stretch (but so do ARP's)...it appears the stock head bolts are actually quite good from what I can see. I think you would do more harm than good by removing them and replacing w/ ARP at this point.

exactly my point. its already on there, and i'd bet theres more risk in taking them out than just tightening them down more. i think i went to about 70 and have yet to retorque more than once after heat cycling....i've probably passed that 500mile marker too..i wonder if i should get on that soon.