Alright I'm helping a friend do some upgrades on his motor. He is putting on some edelbrock aluminum e-force heads and I was just thinking about the head bolts. In my opinion the best thing is to get head studs but he is just going to use stock replacements. Would it be better to put a washer on the bolt? or just torque it down like normal?

 

should be fine installing as if original cast iron heads were being installed.

unless holes are wopped out thats the only way i would see any issue or the bolt length required is different so the head bolts dont bottom out before snugging to the head

 

get some arp head bolts, or studs if you want. you will want the washer so the bolt head doesnt cut into the aluminum, which will also require a slightly longer bolt (arp knows that theyre doing). the torque specs may be different, but im sure those are included if he purchased the heads new. and dont forget thread sealant when putting new bolts in