5.0 Vortec Head Bolts

[FluffyChicken]

Lots of conflicting info on this subject. Just want to ask on here before I order anything. So is it ok to reuse the original stock head bolts on this 5.0 GXI? Seems like some say it’s perfectly fine just dont reuse if they are tty bolts which from what ive found. The stock ones on this 97 305 block shouldnt be tty.

 

[stresspoint]

iv always used the head bolts if they are not rusted , vortec OEM are not TTY .

run them on the wire wheel to clean off old sealant and chase all the threads in the engine block .
use a good HT bolt sealant .

 

[Scott Danforth]

Stock bolts for the GXI should be TTY. Spend the $35 on a new set of GM head bolts

 

[stresspoint]

Stock bolts for the GXI should be TTY. Spend the $35 on a new set of GM head bolts

my heads on my 500hp 5.7 vortec should have fallen off by now ,
it was original an injected engine and i reused the original (from memory ) 14mm head bolts.

should i take it apart and go by new bolts ?.

 

[Scott Danforth]

my heads on my 500hp 5.7 vortec should have fallen off by now ,
it was original an injected engine and i reused the original (from memory ) 14mm head bolts.

should i take it apart and go by new bolts ?.

at 500hp, its not stock. doubt you used the TTY bolts that GM used in the trucks and boats

 

[silverbul]

The first, and most obvious, reason why head bolts would need to be replaced instead of reused would be a decline in quality and condition. If the bolts are visibly damaged in any way, you will not be able to use the same ones again.

A good way to test the quality of your head bolts before using them again is to put some motor oil on the outside and try to screw them in using just your hand.

If the head bolt is able to be screwed in smoothly and easily with the use of just your fingers, you will most likely be able to install it back into your engine.

However, if the bolt displays any kind of resistance or gets stuck in doing this, it will tell you that it needs a full replacement. In the most ideal situation, you should be able to almost secure the entire thing by twisting it with your fingers.

In general, if you complete the steps of cleaning and inspecting your head bolts and something looks off, you should never put them back into your engine.

 

[stresspoint]

The first, and most obvious, reason why head bolts would need to be replaced instead of reused would be a decline in quality and condition. If the bolts are visibly damaged in any way, you will not be able to use the same ones again.

A good way to test the quality of your head bolts before using them again is to put some motor oil on the outside and try to screw them in using just your hand.

If the head bolt is able to be screwed in smoothly and easily with the use of just your fingers, you will most likely be able to install it back into your engine.

However, if the bolt displays any kind of resistance or gets stuck in doing this, it will tell you that it needs a full replacement. In the most ideal situation, you should be able to almost secure the entire thing by twisting it with your fingers.

In general, if you complete the steps of cleaning and inspecting your head bolts and something looks off, you should never put them back into your engine.

using this method i have only ever had to replace 1 set of TTY head bolts , that was on a 250 hp DF Suzuki outboard , the motor had hydrolocked and the owner had tried to start it several times with a gut full of water, it bent 2 rods amongst other obvious damage but the un obvious damage was the out of spec head bolts when i inspected them.

it is essential when rebuilding a motor to inspect the bolts "as above " and to add to the post above > measure the bolts , there is a spec in most manuals that have the required length the TTY bolts need to be before the should be discarded .
it is not always a necessity to go and buy bolts if you are doing a budget build, just some measurements and a good inspection will suffice .
with that said , if you are doing a performance build it is a good idea to spend the extra and buy some new bolts , but don't just buy those name brand ones , "do some research" all is not what it seems there.(read the spec sheet ,OH wait ,some don't have one )

""""in most cases , not all", the OEM bolts are better quality than the after market bolts , so unless you intend on forking over for hype , then you are better off using an inspected set of original bolts,