How important are new headbolts?

[3aG1e_7a1oN]

I bought a 1991 Laser rs-turbo with a broken tb and I'm pulling the head today and putting a new one on. I am also using a new headgasket, however I don't have enough for new head-bolts so I was wondering if i could reuse mine. I was also wondering which is easier to use for the timing belt, the VFAQ or the Haynes.

 

[toofast82]

The stock head bolts are capable of stretching. It is highly recommended to purchase new head bolts. I believe there is a way to check if the bolts have stretched out of spec though.
I reused stock head bolts on my 96gsx back in the day, but it was bone stock, i never had any sealing issues though.

The VFAQ is a good how-to for the timing belt imho.

 

[Grimis]

its not recomended but if they are in spec/not streached and the heads/threads are good do so but put on your "wish list" that ARP's down the road (say you get cams later, pop the old and put in the arps)

as what timing info is the best, Vfaq, i have 2 copies printed out

 

[jrohner]

I don't think it's nearly as important on a 6-bolt engine, since the head bolts are bigger than on the 7-bolt engines. For a 7-bolt I'd get ARP's when doing any rebuild (why buy new stock type ones), on the 6-bolt I'd just reuse the stock ones unless you're modded and have an extra 80-90 bucks laying around.

 

[FMFGSX]

As stated above measure the bolts for to make sure they are within spec. You can find the info in the shop manual.

 

[need2boostpsi]

factory service manual states that 6-bolt head studs are reusable, 7-bolt head studs are 1 torque only and must be replaced. I have my stock head studs and i am now running 28PSI on my holset. no problems with my MLS.

 

[toofast82]

I reused stock head bolts on my 96gsx back in the day, but it was bone stock, i never had any sealing issues though.

factory service manual states that 6-bolt head studs are reusable, 7-bolt head studs are 1 torque only and must be replaced. I have my stock head studs and i am now running 28PSI on my holset. no problems with my MLS

I reused mine on the 7bolt, i did drive it for thousands of miles after too. Guess i got lucky? I am not recommending reusing them on a 7bolt either. I was younger and on a little tighter budget and shorter on knowledge
That car is long gone though, my ex-gfriend actually has it still, maybe It's a long story

 

[3aG1e_7a1oN]

Well it's a 7 bolt head on a 6 bolt block. I also have some used head studs from my 7 bolt 93 eclipse, but it seems like most people say you can reuse the 6-bolt so it looks like that's what I'm going to do.

 

[Demon33]

factory service manual states that 6-bolt head studs are reusable, 7-bolt head studs are 1 torque only and must be replaced. I have my stock head studs and i am now running 28PSI on my holset. no problems with my MLS.

I reused my stock head bolts (6 bolt motor) and have not had any problems the past 10 years since. They have seen 20psi without failure. Make sure to torque them properly and evenly.

 

[DSM_PWR]

IMO...

Quit being cheap and buy them... nuff said...

They're about $30 for a set at advanced or autozone...

Everytime we do a headgasket, people always neglect getting new cam seals/crank seals/headbolts...

It'll catch up to them in the endrun

.... especially since you just bought it and dont know what the previous owner/owners have done....

 

[vanilla gorilla]

Its recommended to replace your head bolts, of course. Even I would recommend you replace them, I mean, if you've got to take them out you might as well.

But....

You can reuse them as long as they arent stretched. I have done probably 6 head jobs. Not on eclipses but on a variety of cars, and I have reused the stock head bolts on all of them. No problems....ever.

Its just one of those deals where you should, but its not manditory.

 

[3aG1e_7a1oN]

Okay, I'm in the middle of pulling the head. I needed to buy a 10mm allen head socket to get ten of the head studs out, but the three in the middle wont break loose with the same tool. It looks the exact same. There are 5 on the intake side, 5 on the exhaust side and 3 in the middle. I don't know how to get these off. HELP!


On another note, I found some messed up spark plugs. Sorry for the cell phone quality pic, but three out of the four looks like someone took a bite out of the end. What kind of damage am I looking at?

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[stevo911]

Screw the closest one to it back in and see if you can take the pressure off the one you are trying to remove.

 

[toofast82]

Okay, I'm in the middle of pulling the head. I needed to buy a 10mm allen head socket to get ten of the head studs out, but the three in the middle wont break loose with the same tool. It looks the exact same. There are 5 on the intake side, 5 on the exhaust side and 3 in the middle. I don't know how to get these off. HELP!

You cant get them off with a breaker bar?WTF

 

[eclipser93]

When dealing with head bolts there is a specific order that use must use to extract or install the bolts.
as for the problem with not getting them out., how big of a ratchet are you using? Sometimes you need to just use a little bit of leverage, ie. a breaker bar or a wrench to pull on the ratchet just to break that seal.

 

[3aG1e_7a1oN]

I used a breaker bar to break 10 of them loose. When I took the ten on the outside out with ease, I attempted the middle ones with the same breaker bar, they sounded like they broke loose but then just started to strip.

Well I put a few bolts back in then tried to get the middle ones out but it still didn't work.

 

[DSM_PWR]

Still wanna reuse them ....

 

[90 Talon AWD]

The three middle ones are not head bolts.

 

[FMFGSX]

Well I put a few bolts back in then tried to get the middle ones out but it still didn't work.

Are you talking about the allen bolts on the head?

 

[90_GSX_DSM]

Yea the three plugs in the very middle in between the spark plugs are NOT head bolts. If you really still do have some bolts that won't budge I believe it would be smart to get your head checked out at a machine shop for warpage. It's priceless to have them check it and will save you from doing this all over again from a blown head gasket. Even if you do have all the headbolts loose or whatever I would get it checked, most machinists won't charge just to check. Good luck!

 

[Colt4G63 also]

The three middle ones are not head bolts.

Like he said, What middle ones? There's only ten head bolts.WTF

Are you sure you should be doing this?

 

[3aG1e_7a1oN]

Yeah, you guys are right. I realized it after I looked at my other head. But the head won't budge still which is very wierd.

 

[toofast82]

Yeah, you guys are right. I realized it after I looked at my other head. But the head won't budge still which is very wierd.

Do you still have the IM on? there is a bracket on the back you may not have loosened

 

[Rob10_99]

Bracket on the backside is holding it up and to the block.
Make sure you disconnect your knock sensor before you rip the wire out of the sensor as well. The reason you should never reuse your stock headbolts is that their 15+ years old, any stretching and they are toast. One headbolt stretched could mean you warping your head and/or blowing a headgasket.
If you do reuse them, take a close look at the threads and see if they are linear, or the peaks are bent to one side. That would indicate a stretched bolt.
What about that spark plug!?

 

[FMFGSX]

Do you still have the IM on? there is a bracket on the back you may not have loosened

and turbo, some sensors, etc...