Are the head bolts reusable?
#2
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They are reusable if you're in a pinch and can't wait or can't afford new ones. However it is best to get new hardware.
Best price I've seen on ARP fasteners was at miataroadster.com . They have head, main, and intake mani bolts.
Ben
Best price I've seen on ARP fasteners was at miataroadster.com . They have head, main, and intake mani bolts.
Ben
#4
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The FSM doesnt say anything about replacing the bolts. It does say to replace certain gaskets etc. I am pretty sure the bolts are not torque to yeild...
Mazda also says the bolts are reusable -for what it is worth....
Mazda also says the bolts are reusable -for what it is worth....
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I reused my head bolts and have not had any problems with compression or head gasket leaking whatsoever and I would guess I have been running 200hp or so for a few hundred miles and a few thousand and lower boost prior to that.
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Since Mazda makes no comment about replacing them in the workshop manuals, and the torque is not so high as I would expect the yield to be, I have reused them on many motors.
Beside the torque tightening pattern, special attention needs to be paid to the cleanliness of the bolts, threads in the head, and lubrication.
Once everything is totally clean, including the washer under the bolt head, all surfaces of the threads and washer need to be swimming in oil to get the correct torque.
Beside the torque tightening pattern, special attention needs to be paid to the cleanliness of the bolts, threads in the head, and lubrication.
Once everything is totally clean, including the washer under the bolt head, all surfaces of the threads and washer need to be swimming in oil to get the correct torque.
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Bring out your dead....
The reason I didn't make my track day today is because when we fired my motor at 7pm last night, the head gasket started leaking coolant. I re-used the head bolts with a new HG. Torqued to 60ft.lbs with ARP lube on the threads. What gives?
The reason I didn't make my track day today is because when we fired my motor at 7pm last night, the head gasket started leaking coolant. I re-used the head bolts with a new HG. Torqued to 60ft.lbs with ARP lube on the threads. What gives?
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Good lord, talk about digging up a dead thread for the sake of not starting a new one. Good job (not sarcastic, seriously). I wish I could tell you why. I could be a pro on this topic if it weren't for the fact that all of my head gaskets and head work was actually stuck rings. Do you know which cylinders are leaking, or is it all of them?
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I've used the same ARP studs in two different motors, no leaks. The one time I re-used stock bolts, it leaked. Coincidence maybe, but I sleep better at night without the $100 or so I paid for the studs poking me in the ***.
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I've reused mine twice with no problems at all. The third time, the bolts just wouldn't hold tension anymore. It's hard to describe, but pretty much each time I reused them, when I was torquing the bolts the "snap" distances got bigger. I then got some ARP studs for $110 and couldn't be happier, except it's harder to remove the head now.