Replace 351W Head Bolts?
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
Replace 351W Head Bolts?
Just got the heads back for my low-budget rebuild of my 351W. This is a weekly driver, no hot rod truck. Do I need to replace the head bolts? At ~$80 for a set I'm very reluctant, but.....
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
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From: San Diego
Meh. If there is nothing wrong with the set you have (Clean, not banged up, ever cross threaded or anything like that.) I would keep them myself. I would make sure to chase all the threads with a tap and some machine oil, just to be sure they are good and clean for torquing your bolts back in.
It is a budget build, I would reuse anything that isn't questionable. The only thing I think I would go high end on is gaskets, and the rotating assembly bolts.
It is a budget build, I would reuse anything that isn't questionable. The only thing I think I would go high end on is gaskets, and the rotating assembly bolts.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Meh. If there is nothing wrong with the set you have (Clean, not banged up, ever cross threaded or anything like that.) I would keep them myself. I would make sure to chase all the threads with a tap and some machine oil, just to be sure they are good and clean for torquing your bolts back in.
It is a budget build, I would reuse anything that isn't questionable. The only thing I think I would go high end on is gaskets, and the rotating assembly bolts.
It is a budget build, I would reuse anything that isn't questionable. The only thing I think I would go high end on is gaskets, and the rotating assembly bolts.
There is no need to replace head bolts unless the are torque to yields or ruined in some way
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I checked my bolts using what is known as a bolt (or thread) gauge:
I was looking for overly-stretched bolts but found none that were out of spec so re-used 'em.
How to Use a Thread Gauge | eHow.com
I was looking for overly-stretched bolts but found none that were out of spec so re-used 'em.
How to Use a Thread Gauge | eHow.com
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368
Likes: 3
From: Loganville, Ga
That's my vote too. I never reuse head bolts. They have been torqued down which gives them a "twist" and "pulled" from the engine running. Then there is heating and cooling cycles for how many years?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
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From: Virginia
Old school head bolts are re-usable as was said in a previous post. 351w is "old school".
The torque-to-yield on some of the newer engines are not.
The torque-to-yield on some of the newer engines are not.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
What he said, no need to replace them, especially on a near stock budget build.
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Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I will triple that; the head bolts on some newer engines aren't tightened to a torque spec but,
rather, to a certain degree of stretch in the bolts. These older ones don't fall into that
category. If your bolts haven't been stretched past spec (which you can measure using one
of those bolt gauge things) and the threads haven't been obviously damaged from cross-
threading or anything, you should be fine with them.
rather, to a certain degree of stretch in the bolts. These older ones don't fall into that
category. If your bolts haven't been stretched past spec (which you can measure using one
of those bolt gauge things) and the threads haven't been obviously damaged from cross-
threading or anything, you should be fine with them.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
Thanks for all the input. My bolts are clean and haven't been cross-threaded or damaged in any way, so I'll check them w/a thread pitch gauge - which I have. But, I'm pretty sure they'll pass since I've run a die over them and there wasn't any bind. And, speaking of that, I have run a tap into all the tapped holes and through all the nuts, as well as used a die on each bolt.
So, I'll reuse the head bolts. Like I said, this is a budget build and I don't expect to keep the truck. But, for $700 initially and about that much more in parts I should soon have something useful.
So, I'll reuse the head bolts. Like I said, this is a budget build and I don't expect to keep the truck. But, for $700 initially and about that much more in parts I should soon have something useful.
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