I looked & couldn't find this but was wondering if the head bolts on a 77 Pinto 2.3L are able to be reused or if they are one time use? Just want to make sure before I replace them.
I reused the bolts on my 78's 2.3 and I haven't had any problems. I've never heard of having to use new bolts after doing head work. Is it recommended?
I know on the 2.3 turbo in my car the Ford manual says to replace them when they are removed, due to stretching. In a stock 2.3 I think they would be fine. But hey really aren't that expensive if you want to be on the safe side. :-\
Quote from: dave1987 on November 17, 2007, 05:54:20 PM
I reused the bolts on my 78's 2.3 and I haven't had any problems. I've never heard of having to use new bolts after doing head work. Is it recommended?
If you've reused them on a 78 & had no problem, that's good enough for me. I'm sorta on a very cheap budget so I'm not really able to afford them if I didn't need to replace them. As for replacing them being recommended, I have an 85 Omni GLH Turbo that have torque to yield head bolts & they are throwaways. With that figure it would be better to ask here & find out.
Thanks!!
I reused the head bolts on my 79 2.3 twice... I think that applies to aluminum heads. i know i had to replace them on my 83 3.8 v6 that had aluminum heads.
ive never heard of disposable headbolts when it involved an iron head.. Maybe since the aluminum head expands and contracts differently from the iron block perhaps they desire stretchable headbolts
who knows?
Steve
I had a 94 Ranger that had the 2.3 and when I rebuilt the head My mechanic pulled up the specks from Ford. It was not just a rcomendation but a requirement to replace the headbolts. They are designed to stetch when torqed. They can only be used once or you risk blowing the gasket or even worse, the head. A few dollars now could save you a lot later. Check with a local, reputable engine builder to be sure. Designs could have changed from the 70's to the 90's.
I did notice the head bolts are different. On the 93 Ranger I got a cam from, it had 6 point head bolts, but my 77 Pinto has the usual Pinto style, 12 point bolts. Looks like the jury is still out. I'll wait for a few more replies before deciding. I'm taking my time to do it right to begin with, but might not be able to afford head bolts.
Come to think of it, I wasn't even the one who put the head back on the engine, my cousin who rebuilt and machined the block and head for me did it. I should call him up and check though. On the invoice from the block & head shop there is a charge for "miscellaneous nuts and bolts". They could have been included in that.
Just re use them. I do in my race motors and I am shavin .150 to .170 off and have had no trouble. Just remember that if you ever do shave that much off, you need to shorten the dowels and bolts the same, or use a washer on them.
r4Pinto,
I have never replaced headbolts with new ones I just stick them back in. But you can check your head bolts to be sure....simply tie a bit of string around the last bit of threads about a 1/4 inch from the end...and while hanging the bolt upside down by the string tap it gently but briskly with a clean teaspoon. If it goes "ting" it is good....if it goes "thud" definitly replace it. The thud indicates crackage.
High_Horse Tech. Tip........Use a copper or silver anti-Seize on the first half of the threads and around the bolt head flat when reassembling. This will insure a friction-creak free and uniform torquing. Blow out the bolt holes in the block adiquately with a butterfly nose ( plastic tube on an air gun that reaches all the way to the bottom).
High_Horse
IF the bolts have 6point heads, they are 'normal' bolts and can be re-used. IF they are 12point, they are TTY and should be replaced.
Bill
Damn,
Looks like I'll be replacing them then. I don't want to chance blowing the head gasket if the bolts are torque to yield. It sucks since they run $30 for the set. That's twice as much as the head bolts on my Omni Turbo.