You don't really need anything more than a grade five bolt (3 marks). Even a good hardware store variety will be fine. Water pump bolts don't need to be "horsed" on. And putting some anti-seize on the threads will help removal next time, if there is one. I use anti-seize on every bolt I put back on a car.

 

I picked up a new set at NAPA. What about head bolts and intake manifold bolts? The old set backed out just fine.
Is a new set worth it?

 

Although the old engines don't use torque-to-yield head bolts, it's still not a bad idea to use new ones, it's cheap insurance. Intake bolts can be reused without any problems. It's more a cosmetic call, whether they look chewed up and crappy.

 

Thanks Camaro 69. I was leaning towards new head bolts and now afterthe "cheap insurance" point you made, Iwill buy a new set of ARP SBC head bolts.

Now for a possible new thread.My SS350 Camaro has a '041' and a '186' head. I just found out the significance of this. The '041' head iscorrect for the SS350 and it is date codedNov 30, 68' which is correct for my Camaro in thatmy carsassembly date is the 3rd week of Jan, 1969 (01C). The '186'head is also correct for the SS350, but is also used for the 68-69 Z28, but with bigger intake and exaust valves for the Z28 cars.
The '186' head on my car is date coded Jan 16, 69 of which is too soon forinstallation on a Camaro that is was built just 1 week after the '186' head was cast.
So somewhere in my cars history,a '041' head was replaced (for reasons I dont know)with a '186' head. Both '186' and '041' castings had only a two year running production date from 68-69. My '186' head has the 'double hump' casting. My '041' head has a'triangle' casting. These casting id facts are found in the 2nd edition 69 Z28 book by Jerry MacNeish.
So I need to trade a '186' head for '041' headthats dated between late Oct 68 thru early Dec of 69' to make my car #'s correct. What are the chances I'll find one? hmmm.

 

just a quick note guys invest in a set of lefthand twist drill bits for drilling out broken off bolts when drilling out broken bolts if they arent rusted in place when drilling them out the drill bit usualy grabs and it will turn it right out like magic

 

Go to a boating supply store and get stainless steel bolts made for marine use. They are very though and won't corrode in sea water, so they should outlast your engine.

 

Theres a few boating supply places around here, and thats what Ill be shoping for tomorrow after work. Thanks for the tip.