Finishing up the ordering of my heads/cam parts, and am trying to figure out what head gaskets/ and head bolts to run. I am looking at getting the impala head gaskets, .029 thickness, and either ARP or the combination motorsports head bolt package. Any advatage to 12 point versus 6 point head bolts? I was thinking they would be less prone to stripping. Just wondering what you guys are running.
Thanks,
Brandon

 

spend the extra money and get the arp studs as far as the gasgets they are top of the line you will like them they seal real decent

 

GM headgaskets/GM bolts.

 

Fel-Pro head gasket
ARP head bolts

12 point is easier to get a rachet to. I used 6 point.

 

I just went to the auto parts store and said "give me some head bolts" I didn't think I needed the overkill of buying studs or a certain name brand.

Jeff D.

 

I used ARP 6-point bolts and the Impala gasket. As for 6 or 12-point, buy on price. Either will work well.

 

i used ARP head bolts $50
and impy head gaskets
jesse

 

I used the .029s and the standard ARP bolts.

 

Felpro gaskets.
Can't remember the brand of bolts, just asked for some (cheap).

12 point is easier especially if you don't have a ratcheting torque wrench. Neither should strip.

 

Of all the places to cheap out on, the rod, main, and head bolts are the least favorable places to do it. You probably saved $20 by going with cheapo head bolts. Think about this for a second....You're willing to chance your entire motor(not to mention parts and labor invested) to save $20? I wouldn't IMO.

Went with Impy head gaskets and ARP head bolts on my own stroker.

 

What's so good about the Impala gaskets

I was thinking about just getting the gasket set from Combo, which are Fel-Pro - I mean they do sponsor NASCAR

 

ARP studs and sce copper head gaskets......but cometic is making a new one for us might change over

 

Why are the ARP ones better then jsut stock replacment

 

well in my case i am running high compression and the studs help from blowing head gaskets but for just normal bolts they have a higher tensile rate than just "any bolt"

 

The Impala gaskets are slightly thinner then the standard LT1 gaskets, this bumps up the compretion ratio a little bit. I was happy with my Imppy gaskets and ARP head bolts. I went with the 6 point ones.

Aaron