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  •  » Head bolt question

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    12/12/2020 6:27 PM  #1

    Cab4word67
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Portland, Ore
    Registered: 4/06/2019
    Posts: 1,154

    Head bolt question

    In cleaning up the last of my motor parts for my 289 rebuild  I discovered I have 2 head bolts with longer side shanks. Do they go in a particular corner of the heads?

    Last edited by Cab4word67 (12/12/2020 6:43 PM)

    Slammed Big Blue, ran over the varmints that messed with the Stang. Now all is good in the NW
     

    12/12/2020 6:57 PM  #2

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,264

    Re: Head bolt question

    Somebody has been into that engine before.  I would suggest 100% new replacement bolts, especially seeing the amount of corrosion those have experienced.

    Main bolts (studs preferred), rod bolts and head bolts are good insurance.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    12/12/2020 7:10 PM  #3

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,887

    Re: Head bolt question

    When I went to the AFR heads I stepped up to a set of 12 point ARP bolts.  Good decision as the 12 pt bolt heads allow me to use a 12pt 1/2" X 1/2" drive socket which make the re-torque easier.
    The engine machinist talked my into new ARP main studs and new ARP rod bolts...prolly a good thing.

     

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    12/12/2020 8:54 PM  #4

    DC
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    From: Marshall, MI
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,251

    Re: Head bolt question

    ARP for sure!

     

    12/12/2020 10:13 PM  #5

    rpm
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,662

    Re: Head bolt question

    Yup, ARP is good insurance. I too have ARP main studs. And the 12 points are sexy.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    12/13/2020 10:55 AM  #6

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,502

    Re: Head bolt question

    Technically you are only supposed to reuse fasteners like head bolts, main bolts, etc. a handful of times.  They have a finite fatigue life.  A stud is always a better choice because of how they protect the threads in the block, and are loaded by torquing them down.  I never reuse main or head bolts on any engine with an unknown history.  Any performance engine I build gets studs in the mains and heads.  Always ARP.  Its really just ARP and a bunch of distant runners up in the engine fastener game. 

     

     

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