Can I reuse head bolts?

Old Dec 4, 2009 | 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Jr. Mechanic
However, as I explained above, they are TTY bolts, meaning as you torque them, they stretch. When you re-torque them, they don't hold their torque setting accurately.
No, they're not. TTY bolts are typically used on aluminum heads, have a torque spec, then a certain degree of further rotation beyond the torque spec. If you look up third gen head torque specs, you'll see they are a set torque, as in conventional.
Both types of bolts stretch as they're torqued, but the TTY bolts remain stretched once they're torqued, which is why you want to replace them.
And 1971BB427, you're not the only desenter here. I too have reused conventional head bolts with no problems, but do replace the TTY bolts as recommended. For a fairly normal engine rebuild, there's nothing wrong with reusing conventional head bolts.
TTY head bolts are usually thinner and longer than conventional bolts. And the shank between the bolt head flange and threads is a smaller diameter than the threaded part.
 
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