I've got a definative test to determine if head bolts are reuseable. It is known as the "flotation " test. Simply throw the bolts in question into the nearest body of water. If they float, reuse 'em.
I've got a definative test to determine if head bolts are reuseable. It is known as the "flotation " test. Simply throw the bolts in question into the nearest body of water. If they float, reuse 'em.
I used to use that test at sea. I called it "the float test." I'd take something broken, throw it overboard and see if it floated.
maddabe wrote: I've got a definative test to determine if head bolts are reuseable. It is known as the "flotation " test. Simply throw the bolts in question into the nearest body of water. If they float, reuse 'em.
Not to question the scientific validity of your testing method... But isn't that how you test for witches??
Hocrest wrote:maddabe wrote: I've got a definative test to determine if head bolts are reuseable. It is known as the "flotation " test. Simply throw the bolts in question into the nearest body of water. If they float, reuse 'em.Not to question the scientific validity of your testing method... But isn't that how you test for witches??
So...if a head bolt.......is made of wood................................................ITS A WITCH!!!!
what kind of wood dosn't float.....Natalie Wood. 
so.. if a headbolt weighs the same as a duck...
... very small rocks??
Well, we did do the nose......and the hat, but it is a witch!
I think you throw a witch off a cliff to see if she flies.... Guess what? Also works for head bolts. Seriously though, does anyone out there reuse theirs? You would be horrified at the percentage of people that buy head gasket sets but decline the damn bolts. (I work at a parts house) I see it at least once a day.
It depends. If they're stretch bolts, or have a funky anti-friction coating on them that can't be reapplied (VW/Audi), then don't re-use.
In other cases, it's not used, it's tested. Sadly, though, the days of 1/2" or even 9/16" thread head bolts are going away. What bugs me is that they are tending to be WEIRD sizes, like 11mm, so the old ones aren't even good for fabbing T-handles or such.
maddabe wrote: You would be horrified at the percentage of people that buy head gasket sets but decline the damn bolts. (I work at a parts house) I see it at least once a day.
because my original GM head bolts are better than the chinese crap i could replace them with at the parts store.
I don't believe that FelPro bolts are Chinese, but I could be wrong. I think they're Mexican.
Depends on the motor. MB headbolts for the 220D motors had a spec to measure the stretch. If it was smaller than the spec, you pitched it otherwise you could reuse it. It was in the factory shop manual. I don't think you can hurt a Toyota 22R headbolt, short of adding BOOST past 300 HP.
Most TTY head bolts (actually, fasteners in general) have a stretch spec, but its not always published.
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