head bolt question

[29Coupe348]

hello, i just had my heads off a year and a half ago, and put new ARP head bolts in when i put them back on. i want to change my valves and springs now, and was wondering if i have to buy new head bolts????...thanks,mike

[JimKwiatkowski]

No you don't have to replace your head bolts,just clean them.You should you use thread sealer on the head bolts that go into coolant passages.

[Bubbletop Bel-Air]

Be sure to run a thread chaser down all the bolt holes before replacing the heads, if any of your ARP bolts are damaged from rust or corrosion, ARP will sell individual bolts verses a whole set. Also a couple drops of motor oil under the bolt head, or around the bolt holes on the head itself will give accurate torque wrench readings. Be sure to go in proper sequence, and in a 3 or 4 step pull to final torque. Fel-Pro makes a teflon lined, composition gasket for W motors that I have had good results with. Note there is a difference between a thread tap and a thread chaser, one cuts, the other one cleans.

[29Coupe348]

cool, thanks guys.