Need New Head Bolts ? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

XR8 Lamah · 06-11-2003, 13:10

Okies, I've head both yes and no so far on this one . . .

Do I need to use new head bolts if i'm doing a head swap ? ( The car is an EL XR8 )

TopGhia · 06-11-2003, 13:51

No. Ford V8 head bolts are as tough as you can get, but TTY bolts should be replaced each time.

It is more important to clean out the threads to get a proper clamping force.

http://www.aera.org/Members/EngineTe...297/Hailey.htm

NZ · 06-11-2003, 17:35

Thats quite a good page,

EDXR8 · 06-11-2003, 19:13

Quote:

Originally posted by TopGhia
[B]No. Ford V8 head bolts are as tough as you can get, but TTY bolts should be replaced each time.

Actually, Ford Winsor V8 head bolts are TTY, so you need to replace them. It's only about $100 for a good set of ARP bolts.

TopGhia · 06-12-2003, 00:49

Well there ya go, learnt something new. I thought they only used TTY on aluminium heads.

cheers

Kieron · 06-12-2003, 01:47

You can also buy the OEM TTY head bolts for Windsors at Coventrys etc. Was also given the tip to go to a shop specialising in bolts and get some hex type none tty bolts, about $60 a set from memory.

The Ford bolts for a Windsor can be torqued a max of 3 times, already torqued once @ factory so 2 left, but I have not had much success at the third try, them simply won't reach the 3rd torque stage.

TopGhia · 06-12-2003, 01:54

Quote:

The most accurate method of determining a TTY engine is based on the head bolt tightening procedure outlined by the manufacturer. If the installation procedure requires tightening the bolt to an angle (vs. torque) specification, the engine requires new TTY head bolts.

The workshop manual torque

for I6 = 40Nm then 90 degrees
for V8= 85Nm then 95Nm

This implies they are not TTY bolts, am I missing something, or are they now made in Taiwan. :s4:

XR8 Lamah,

It is probably safer to install new bolts.

XR8 Lamah · 06-19-2003, 20:49

Aye - and new bolts have been installed ! :)

Turns out that they are TTY bolts - and as per the page TopGhia linked to - Flanged bolts are TTY . . .

Hrmph . . I ended up paying $140 at ford for the new bolts

In the next week or so, I'll write up a review of the head change process . . . with some of the tricks & traps to watch out for (Belt Tensioners suck major ass :( )

EDXR8 · 06-20-2003, 02:19

You have your bolts now, but just for your write up review, I would suggest not using the ford bolts. ARP bolts are a much higher quality bolt and are not TTY They are also much cheaper at $90 a set.