just doing a simple bearing swap on the bottom end of a shortblock to have a motor this season, can i reuse head, main, and rod bolts?

 

As long as they're all in good shape, no corrosion, damaged threads or stretching.

 

main and rod bolts are pretty cheap though, if by season you mean racing season (which I assume you do) why not get entry level ARP parts? $17 for main bolts, $30 or so for rods

This is assuming you have stock bolts in there right now...

 

Rods may need to be resized after new bolts, which could add considerably to the end cost.

The rod bolts are probably the most critical though. No other fastener in the engine takes as much abuse.

 

To replaice rod bolts you should have the rods reconed. And if you plan on making any power at all it will be agood idea. Mains are cheap but not nessary. Head bolts make sure you do not have the newer style torqe to yeild. And if you are going to use a power adder go ahed and put good bolts in. Good luck.

 

no this motor is just a 100k mile shortblock that i am ultimately having to toss in the car this season, because I spent all my motor money on a "fresh" motor only to find out that all the bearings were wiped down to copper and it's unusable. Definately wasn't too happy about that and the seller is long gone. Won't be putting a power adder on this stock shortblock, but it will allow me to drive it this year at least.