Re-using 3fe head bolts?

[LaOutbackTrail]

Hey guys,

I know the general methodology is to replace the head bolts, but 15 at $7 bucks is ridiculous.

Has anyone been successful reusing their head bolts when replacing the head gasket on their motor?

 

[klinetime574]

I re-used my 2F head bolts. I have about 30,000 miles on it since then. No problems.

Some head bolts are torque-to-yield (TTY). Those are the kind that have to be replaced. To my knowledge ours are not TTY.

EDIT

In response with Wile E Coyote below... I did re-check my head bolt torque after an interval. Which I don't remember. We are talking three years ago That's one-seventh of my life!

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I've reused head bolts in domestic V-8 engine work I've done in the past with no problem, and would reuse the Toy head bolts if I ever pull the head on my 3FE. I would, however, recheck the torque after a few hours of run time afterwards. TTY, as noted, would be one kind to avoid reusing.

 

[Benjaman]

Hey guys,

I know the general methodology is to replace the head bolts, but 15 at $7 bucks is ridiculous.

Has anyone been successful reusing their head bolts when replacing the head gasket on their motor?

You could go with ARP studs. But yes, you can re use the bolts.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Thanks guys. On a related issue... does anyone have an M13 x 1.75 tap that I can borrow? Will pay shipping both ways!

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Back to needing an M13x1.75 tap, reassembling the engine this week (Actually on engine 3, had two cracked and unusable heads...)

 

[Benjaman]

Back to needing an M13x1.75 tap, reassembling the engine this week (Actually on engine 3, had two cracked and unusable heads...)

You could buy one for $20.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=327-2735&PMPXNO=22505546

 

[84pickup]

I think my dad might have a tap scott. I don't know if you already asked or not but you might check. We had a fair assortment of them last time I was home.
And when I did the head on my 22R in high school, I reused mine with nothing wrong. I did re-check the torque after a few hundred miles just to be sure though.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I saw that one, but never heard of that company or the other handful of others. Funny, grainger nor SnapOn stock these taps!

Thanks Ross, I just sent him a message.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Nope. The biggest your dad has is an M12... shucks.

 

[TobyB]

Enco is OK. You'll get an unknown- brand tap,
but it will be adequate if you're careful with it.

t

 

[Zack1978]

You could go with ARP studs. But yes, you can re use the bolts.

Does ARP really make 2F head bolts/studs? I could not seem to find it on their website. Is there an advantage to going with the ARP head studs?


Thanks,
Zack

 

[Benjaman]

Does ARP really make 2F head bolts/studs? I could not seem to find it on their website. Is there an advantage to going with the ARP head studs?


Thanks,
Zack

They may not have a blister pack any more, but you can buy the correct size studs from them.

Biggest advantage is higher clamping force and high quality Cr-mo alloy steel.


As for the tap, if your just chasing threads? a cheap tap is fine.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

So last night, I took an old 3FE bolt from one of my other blocks and cut two vertical notches in it, giving me a tap-like function to help clean the threads. I filled the holes with PB blaster then chased them. I think it worked.... Or, worked well enough.

 

[1988fj62]

i reused the head bolts in my head when rebuilding my 3fe. no problems at all. as for cleaning the holes you can use a circular wire brush on a drill and some degreaser and it works just fine. HTH
-Shawn

 

[Zack1978]

They may not have a blister pack any more, but you can buy the correct size studs from them.

Biggest advantage is higher clamping force and high quality Cr-mo alloy steel.


As for the tap, if your just chasing threads? a cheap tap is fine.

Well I called ARP today and they were rather rude on the phone. The rep said they don't have a kit, but I could get loose bolts. They say to measure your old bolts and match them up. It looks difficult to measure the bolts to say the least.

Zack

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Well, they're M13x1.75... only two are longer than the rest.

Edit:

And I have three sets, I'll try to remember to measure the full length of the bolts for you tonight.

 

[CruiserHappy]

Still need the tap??? I have one here in Washington I could mail to you... Just mail it back.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

For reference for those looking, ARP does not offer any 13mm head bolts.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, I always reuse mine if not rusty. Never had a problem on any car or marine engine . Mike