I just got a new headgasket for my h23/vtec build and am ready to bolt it down but Ive heard some people say that you can't reuse head bolts? I just wanted to find out if this is true or if they are just being too careful? What am I risking by reusing my stock headbolts? Also, for the h23/vtec build, you have to use h22 head bolts, right? or can you use h23 ones? I searched and I found a lot of mixed answers...

 

reuse H22 headbolts..

I havn't had a problem and have reused several sets..

 

Cool. Is there any way I can check them to see if they are warped or not?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by aRaBiAn RiCe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Cool. Is there any way I can check them to see if they are warped or not?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Put them in a drill and spin them? I really wouldn't worry about it. If I was building a full RACE Turbo, then I would..

 

even if they are slightly warped, they will straighten out when you torque them down....

if i were you i would just get arp studs instead.....way better system....

 

You should NEVER re-use OEM head bolts. Why? Because of bolt stretch. I've ran into 2 engines that blew headgaskets immediately because they re-used stock bolts.

If you absolutely must re-use them at least measure the bolts to see if they are still all within spec.

 

You guys need to learn a thing or 2 about tension of bolt. When a bolt gets strapped in, it is under load at all time. After a extended period of time, and heat/cold effecting it, the metal will start to stretch, willingly or not, and having 100XXX+kms to 10 bolts they can stretch a good amount. After you release the pressure they will not stretch back. Being torqued down for all those years has changed the elasticity of the metal to a different range, the bolt is ruined and should be chucked.

OEM head bolts aren't expensive and are worth it. ARP studs are way better tho, they are reusable.

If you do reuse the bolts, torque them down a bit more then spec, to make up for the longer bolt lenght. Always torque engine parts down properly to honda specs. Don't use an impact, everything should be hand built inside a motor to assure you aren't cross treading and ******* up your block/head.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You should NEVER re-use OEM head bolts. Why? Because of bolt stretch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

^^ I agree with this... I tried.. and have bad results.. Broken almost 5 bolts.. :S So annoying, you have no idea.. Have to drill them out, and try again, another breaks, and have to drill it out...
I think it's worth spending the little extra for the new bolts... :S

I'm actually talking about the Cam Plate bolts, these are the ones I had problems with.. Still have to get the last one out..

I have the part #s for these if you want them.. And I can give you about the price you will have to pay..

The stress you would save if you bought new ones would be well worth it if something went wrong..

 

i would highly suggest not reusing them, less trouble down the road

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludesrv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> <U>You guys need to learn a thing or 2 about tension of bolt.</U>When a bolt gets strapped in, it is under load at all time. After a extended period of time, and heat/cold effecting it, the metal will start to stretch, willingly or not, and having 100XXX+kms to 10 bolts they can stretch a good amount. After you release the pressure they will not stretch back. Being torqued down for all those years has changed the elasticity of the metal to a different range, the bolt is ruined and should be chucked.

OEM head bolts aren't expensive and are worth it. ARP studs are way better tho, they are reusable.

If you do reuse the bolts, torque them down a bit more then spec, to make up for the longer bolt lenght. Always torque engine parts down properly to honda specs. Don't use an impact, everything should be hand built inside a motor to assure you aren't cross treading and ******* up your block/head.</TD></TR></TABLE>

.......you guys eh? You're talking to mgags7, precisionh23a, and honda318dx

I say go with ARP; however, what studs are you using?

 

I guess I should have put that I only re-use them once.. I also know most problems come from people who don't oil their threads when they re-install the bolts. Also, they snap easily if they are "shocked". Even torque must be applied.

 

I have re-used OEM head bolts on a few H engines without problems.

 

Well, I guess I'm gonna toss them out, It came from a jdm motor, so it probably had like 40k-50k on it, but I guess Ill just get the arp bolts. I'm not gonna risk that much time just for some bolts.... Any suggestions on where to get some ARP head bolts from?

Thanks for your responses.

 

i bought new ones. they were only like 80 bucks from hondaautomotiveparts.com

 

for $12x you get ARP stuff...

 

im running on a tight budget.....very tight like the extra $30 could set things back a week

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92hondalude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im running on a tight budget.....very tight like the extra $30 could set things back a week </TD></TR></TABLE>

well you could go sell yourself a few times....$30 isnt that hard to come by....

"no joe rogan, this aint my first taste of *****, i see a lot of dick in my line of work, i've sucked dick for crack" -tyrone biggums

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mgags7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

well you could go sell yourself a few times....$30 isnt that hard to come by....

"no joe rogan, this aint my first taste of *****, i see a lot of dick in my line of work, i've sucked dick for crack" -tyrone biggums</TD></TR></TABLE>
lol i was just joking

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92hondalude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im running on a tight budget.....very tight like the extra $30 could set things back a week </TD></TR></TABLE>

I know, right.


Well, I changed my mind....again. I think I'm just gonna reuse them, its the first time they are being reused, and I'm not doing some crazy setup that I would need them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludesrv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If you do reuse the bolts, torque them down a bit more then spec, to make up for the longer bolt lenght. Always torque engine parts down properly to honda specs. Don't use an impact, everything should be hand built inside a motor to assure you aren't cross treading and ******* up your block/head.</TD></TR></TABLE>

EXACTLY, how much more, is a little bit more?
5, 6, 10 ft. lbs. more??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MLBZ521 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'm actually talking about the Cam Plate bolts, these are the ones I had problems with.. Still have to get the last one out..

</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL. you too! i had this problem before when i first had my motor, then i learned that all those Cam Plate bolts are torqued down with specific ft.lbs., and then when i went to take them out again, "SnaP!" i had to get new ones.

I was recommended by a buddy of mine who used to work for HONDA to get ARP stud set. My budget doesnt say so , though.

I did a B20 swap in a DC and we reused head bolts, still no problems till this day, and this was LAST winter

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You should NEVER re-use OEM head bolts. Why? Because of bolt stretch. I've ran into 2 engines that blew headgaskets immediately because they re-used stock bolts.

If you absolutely must re-use them at least measure the bolts to see if they are still all within spec.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have reused stock heads bolts a few times a few times over head to remove the head 4 times in about 7 months trying different combos. so they have been torqued 5 times already so far so good . But they were also brand new when installed the 1st time. But if you have a 91 j spec motor and the headbolts have been torqued for god knows how long I would recommend getting new ones in that case.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AznPimpS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

EXACTLY, how much more, is a little bit more?
5, 6, 10 ft. lbs. more??</TD></TR></TABLE>

bump for this question

 

go 5 ft lbs more if they are any longer than they should be....if not, just go with the oem spec tq....

 

eddiebx is the cheapest dude on this planet.. if he says to buy new headbolts... i suggest u do it