I have an 89 350 block and 89 cast iron heads. I just got rid of those heads and I am installing a set of aluminum 195cc AFR heads. Can I use the same head bolts, or do I need new ones?? Also, should I buy some grade 8 washers or something too?? Thanks in advance.

 

Yes I would buy new head bolts and make sure you use washers. You can buy them as a set, I'm sure arp makes some nice ones that I'd trust.

 

I ALWAYS use new head bolts whenever I pull the heads , even if the old heads are going back on and I only use ARP bolts. Head bolts are streched once you torque them and while they may be okay to reuse I refuse to do it. I also refuse to use anything but ARP since I broke two Milodon bolts off when installing the heads in my Mustang.


And yes some heads will require different head bolts. MY sportsman 2's use a different ARP # becuase the two bolts on the ends of the heads need to be shorter.

 

65 bucks for arp from summit, get the 12 point set. Tell them you want a set for the AFR's ( alluminum ) They come with washers. The 12pt are easier to install ( if you have the socket ) because the heads are smaller, so inbetween the valve springs you don't struggle as much.

also ARP say to use there moly lube and teflon sealer so get it when you order the bolts.

 

some head bolts HAVE to be replaced, torque to yeild bolts. they're not used on a SBC so you don't have to replace them, but as already been said it's a good idea. you might want to cinsider studs instead of bolts.

 

A question:

What sealer I need use for news torque to yield head bolts for 2.8 V6?.

I've RTV sealant (red) and loctite (red) in my house. Are they goods?.

Thanks in advance.

 

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I only have 12k miles on the old bolts, so I'm gonna reuse them with some sealant.

What could happen if there were failure??

 

use any non hardening sealer, never use anything that gets hard on a bolt that goes to water. all i use any more is liquid teflon pipe sealer, made by many people now ,i use PST by loctite.