how many ft/lbs do i have to put on the head bolts when i put the heads back on thx

1990 camaro iroc-z 5.7l tpi

 

60-65 ft-lbs

Whatever you do, DO NOT overtorque them! That is guaranteed to produce a leak.

You MUST use sealer on the threads, on all of them, since all 17 on each one go straight into the block water jacket. Use the Permatex/Loctite thread sealer with Teflon, I can't recall the part #, comes in a little tube on a card. Put it on the threads, and put some on the underside of the bolt head. It makes an excellent lube.

Tighten them in stages; like, 35 ft-lbs all the way around, then 45, then 60. Final torque reading should be taken while the bolt IS TURNING; I shoot for 60, and since the bolt is still turning, it ends up at maybe 62 or so. Go all the way around the sequence a couple of times, you'll almost certainly come across a couple of loose ones. I prefer a beam or dial type of torque wrench, ABSOLUTELY NOT a clicker. Those are good for some things, but not this.

 

should i get new head bolts or use the old ones?

 

Most likely, the old ones are fine.

Clean the threads with a wire brush, and lacquer thinner; use a tap to clean all the bolt holes in the block.