Personnally I would never use stock "torque to yield" head bolts over again. When you torque these bolts down, they stretch to achieve the necessary torque. If you use them again after they've already been stretched once, they tend to stretch even more which results in innacurate torque readings or even worse like one breaking down the road. I dont really care if people have reused them before, its not the way your supposed to do it.

The situation your in right now I understand, but I wouldnt trust old stock stretched out head bolts on your new build.

 

I have a tendency to replace parts strictly for piece of mind. Personally I replace bolts and parts even if they look perfectly fine. It's just one piece of the car I won't have to worry about down the line. The cost in time to do it is nothing compared to the cost in money it will take to repair a problem down the line. I know your money situation I'm in the same boat, but I'd kick myself in the *** from destroying things over a set of cheap bolts.

 

whats another week of waiting for 50 bucks hell if you absolutely cant get 50 bucks, put your girl on the corner man, she'll make that 50 in a couple hours id hope

 

I vote for the crack them all loose in order to relieve stress, then replace one at a time, method. No different than re-torqing as far as the engine knows.

If you do get ARP bolts I'd recommend getting their lube and using the appropriate spec, too.

 

I reused stock head bolts on 2 LT1s and put many miles on them without issue. These were higher mileage motors also.

 

I reused mine 4 years ago, you will be fine.