I am getting ready to rebuild my 1969 429 and want to know if I should replace my head bolts. As far as I know they are the originals. They look good, but I know some people recomend replacing them. From Summit a new head bolt set is about $170 and I don't want to pay that much if it isn't really needed. However, don't want to rebuild again in a few months with a blown head gasket.

Jonny

 

It depends on several factors. Was the engine ever ran hot, (overheated) is the engine going back stock or are you putting on special heads. Is the cam, compression, etc. modified? If this is just a rebuild and nothing more I don't think I would worry about it.

 

even most streetable performance builds the stock 9/16" head bolts are more than sufficient clear up to and past 12:1 compression.

 

I don't know if it was ever run hot, the engine is going to gether mostly stock. I did some porting on the exhaust and will be running a RV type cam with propane.


Thanks for the input, I think I will be reusing the old bolts.

Jonny

 

As a rule, I NEVER re-use head bolts. Especially if they are torque to yield design. Even if they are not tty, they stretch, and it is not worth it..Just get some new ones, it's always money well spent.

 

http://headbolts.com/fordcmbb.html

They sell their house brand set for $42.95

 

I would not worry about replacing them unless they look bad , bad threads ,etc,. I have reused factory bolts several times with 13 -13 /1/2 : 1 compression with no problems.