I'm going through my 1998 4.6 triton @193K mi and have a question. I have new stretch bolts for my freshly done heads but the nbook calls for new hardware at the main caps as well. First of all, I can't find a good local source here in San Diego and an engine builder here says he never replaces the main or con rod hardware and has never had an issue. Don't expect to get much support for this plan but, really, how risky is this?

 

Well considering the main and rod bolts are torque to yield and the factory stretches them during assembly why would you not replace them? It would be a shame to trash a freshly rebuilt motor over a $10 bolt. I would at least replace the rod bolts.

 

Thanks longbed. I'll getthe con-rod hardware coming. Cap bolts too if I can find them.