new head in Options

[eclipgst]

I bought a brand new head and it came in today so my car will hopefully be back on the streets by next weekend. I did not buy new head studs would it be alright to use the old ones for a little bit while i get some money to get new ones? I know that they streach this is why i am asking. Also if anyone would like to help me this weekend with this project I would greatly appricate it. Please let me know

[awd4kicks]

If if I remember right 7 bolt engines use torque to yeild head bolts (Stretching type). You are not supposed to re-use those. If they are not torque to yeild (1990-1992) then you may be able to re-use them safely assuming there are no defects or wear on them.

When I had my cylinder head rebuilt the first time I upgraded to ARP head studs. That's my recommendation.

[eclipgst]

i was going to upgrade to the arp ones but i did not have the money right now so i was going to reuse the ones i had until i can get the money for the arp's. I also have a six bolt motor so does that mean that those head studes are better than the seven bolt motors?

[Justincredible]

do you really wanna take the head off again and get a new gasket? they are 100 bucks. why not borrow the money from someone or just wait. To me it'd be worth the hassle.

[eclipgst]

all you need to take off is the valve cover and take out the old head bolts and put in the new ones. You dont need to take off the whole head and replace the gasket at all.

[Justincredible]

can you do that with arp head studs? I didnt think thats how it worked with them.

[eclipgst]

i think so how else would it work?

[Taxiwardance]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you need to thread the studs into the block then drop the head on and tighten and torque the nuts down on the studs. Check here

[Justincredible]

i think so how else would it work?

yea. cause they are stud's with nuts. I dont know how you would thread the stud into the block without having the head off.

[natedogg]

You can still thread studs in even with the head still on the block. Just put 'em in the holes and thread them in. The torque load doesn't come in until you thread the nuts on top of the studs. You could possibly have head gasket sealing problems afterward though, since you will be taking the torque load off the gasket while the bolts are out.

[wortdog]

You can still thread studs in even with the head still on the block. Just put 'em in the holes and thread them in. The torque load doesn't come in until you thread the nuts on top of the studs. You could possibly have head gasket sealing problems afterward though, since you will be taking the torque load off the gasket while the bolts are out.

I did this with my engine, it actually fixed all of the sealing problems I was having when the car was on boost. Before the studs, I was adding 1/2 a gallon a week of coolant, after the studs, it didn't use a drop. Just be careful not to bump the head too hard while the torque is off of it, or you will break the seal and have to take the whole thing apart.

[eclipgst]

thanx for the advice but do you think that i can use them or not . Whats your advice natedogg?

[natedogg]

Like awd4kicks said. If you have a 6-bolt engine, your head bolts can be reused because they don't stretch like the 7-bolt head bolts. If at all possible I'd opt for the ARP's though. Good insurance against a future blown headgasket.