Head Bolts

[JLWelding]

I am pulling head this weekend and was told I need to replace the head bolts. I have never heard this on any of the Dodge forums, what do you think?

 

[rpainter]

I think the reason you never hear of it is cause people usually pulling the head just go ahead and install head studs. But I think Cummins recommends all torque to yield bolts to be replaced when removed.

 

[White Knight]

You only need to replace them if they are stretched. Cummins has a nice go/no-go gauge to tell but i think the service manual lists maximum length acceptable.

For any performance build you will probably be better of with new ones.

 

[Billysgoat]

What White Knight said, you can check them for stretch, or be safe and replace them at the least, studs if you feel they are needed.

 

[jd468megawide]

just use the old ones no biggie.

 

[JLWelding]

Thanks for the replys. What is the torque on these bolts?

 

[jd468megawide]

little pattern you go by for the 26 bolts. google it. tq is 57 77 check all 77 then 90*.

 

[Big Blue24]

Go 57, 77, 90, 100, 110, then up in 5 lb increments thereafter. 110 is fine for stock power, some people take them all the way up to 150 ft lbs, just be careful when a bolt starts to feel spongy it's time to stop.

 

[Rob_Bones]

In comparison to studs, bolts are cheap, just replace them.

-Rob