taking my heads off my 94 z28 to replace head gaskets and wondered if i should replace the head bolts? car only has 30,000miles on it. having the heads ported also. looked in summit's catalog and saw nothing for the LT1. if i need to replace them i don't want anything fancy. just something that will work just as good as factory or better quality. just don't want to spend alot of cash on bolts if i don't have to. thanks

 

You HAVE to replace the bolts as they are torque-to-yield. Combination Motorsports sells bolts.

 

It's a good idea to replace the head bolts, but not absolutely necessary. The 94 model did not use TTY bolts, and that is evident in the torque spec being a simple 65 ft/lb's. in shop manuals. Later LT1's had a certain level torque speced, with an additional degree of rotation to produce the right clamp. All LS1's are TTY on just about everything!

Personally I wouldn't skimp on something as important as the hardware. It's just not worth it. Get a good set of ARP bolts (you don't need studs). You can pick up a set for fairly cheap (on par with dealer prices for factory bolts) and they are a MUCH higher quality fastener.

Just don't forget to put some sealer on those threads when you reinstall the head bolts, or you'll be pulling them off yet again to do it later (it WILL leak if you don't). Also, it's a good idea to run a cleaning tap down the holes to make sure you get a good clean surface for the bolts to grab onto, as well as provide you with good torque numbers. The key is good surface prep, and careful tightening.

Good luck man

Dave C.

 

I would defiantly install new bolts.

 

I was pretty sure we had a thread a while back that confirmed they are TTY.

 

As far as i heard aswell, i would replace the bolts.
when i rebuilt a mustang (4.6) it came with the new builts in the head gasket kit.

 

do my intake bolts need replaced too? are the head bolt kits that www.paceperformance.com sells any good? also how bout there head gaskets? thanks again guys.

 

Intake bolts are fine.

 

I bought a new gm set... they don't have washers like the old ones.. are they just designed to turn on the aluminum head?

 

What do you mean by "the old ones"? My stockers didn't have washers.

 

I don't know that they are original or not.. but I thought I heard someone mention before that they had those same types. anyway, they didn't come with washers so I won't even think about using any..

 

Yea, torque stretch, it would be a good idea to get new ones. I've heard of guys re-using the stock one's without problems though.

 

I had this same question last night. But instead of making a new thread, I did a search. I came up with pages of answers

Most people said the TTY bolts werent untill 96+. But APR bolts are only fifty something dollars, and stock replacement bolts are only twenty something dollars. Its very cheap insurance

If you do a 10 second search, you will find all your answeres with part #'s to stock and aftermarket bolts, along with prices

 

Aren't TTY bolts identifiable by the shaft increasing in diameter right before the head of the bolt? Or am I just retarded?