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Head bolt... reuse or get new?

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#1
KentCarter

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What does everyone do? New or re-used head bolts?
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#2
tony senese

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Of all the things I have had issues with reusing head bolts has never caused one. I read posts all the time about how that isn't a good idea..... it has never caused any issue for me. They just need to be retorqued in the right order and to the right value. Also, clean the surface of the block and head well and make sure the head isn't warped.

Then go race! :D

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#3
steveracer

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Ours are not "torque to yield" headbolts where you torque them and then tighten them another 1/4 or 1/2 turn. Those kind stretch when you put that extra twist in and are NOT reusable.

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#4
tony senese

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Ours are not "torque to yield" headbolts where you torque them and then tighten them another 1/4 or 1/2 turn. Those kind stretch when you put that extra twist in and are NOT reusable.


I'm just saying I have not had any failures from reusing them, regardless of what type of bolt they are. Theory is theory and practice is practice. Are you saying if you blew the head gasket at the track, you would not put the head back on with the same bolts and a new gasket???? Pretty sure most people I know would take the chance.... I'm just saying. B)

Phew...... that was a close one!

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#5
juliancates

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I'm just saying I have not had any failures from reusing them, regardless of what type of bolt they are. Theory is theory and practice is practice. Are you saying if you blew the head gasket at the track, you would not put the head back on with the same bolts and a new gasket???? Pretty sure most people I know would take the chance.... I'm just saying. B)


Sounds like he was agreeing with you. In my BMW, the head bolts were "torque to yield" and got stretched out every time you tightened them... so new head bolts every time the head came off. Sounds like the Miata headbolts are NOT torque to yield and would be ok to reuse, yeah?
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#6
steveracer

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Sounds like he was agreeing with you. In my BMW, the head bolts were "torque to yield" and got stretched out every time you tightened them... so new head bolts every time the head came off. Sounds like the Miata headbolts are NOT torque to yield and would be ok to reuse, yeah?


Correct.

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#7
tony senese

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Sorry, I misread, I am paranoid :o

Phew...... that was a close one!

Tony Senese
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#8
steveracer

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