Head bolts or studs for an 8ba

[AnthonyG]

All research done indicates I use new head bolts on reinstall of head? Whats the best sealer product for the head bolt threads where they need to seal from water jacket? Also I see both head bolts and studs listed for the 8ba? Which are best? I know using the studs the first time requires the thread sealer but does it eliminate having to use the thread sealer on subsequent removal of heads?

[19Fordy]

Use head bolts if you want to have an easier time of removing the heads at some point down the road. Unless you are building a super duper high horse power engine head bolts work just fine. In fact, even then, head bolts are now available for those race horse engines. Use Permatex non-hardening sealer or the sealer shown below and you will be 'good to go". DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO CLEAN OUT OR 'CHASE' THE EXISTING THREADED HOLES WITH A TAP as you do not want to remove any metal from the internal threads.

[AnthonyG]

Thx 19Fordy

[19Fordy]

Anthony, Also read thru all this thread and the enclosed links. There is a an ARP site listed that shows 7/16-14 high quality head bolts.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-bolts.726071/
The MCF heads on my 8BA came with American made Grade 8 bolts and have been on since 1999 with no further adjustment needed. Remember, aluminum heads only require 45-50 ft. lbs of torque. Cast iron heads require more. I think it's 65 ft. lbs. I may be wrong but, I bet Henry Ford did not use hardened high strength head bolts. Too costly.

I just examined some OEM Ford 8BA headbolts off an old engine and they are plain with no markings on the top of the bolt head. Perhaps Ford made their own head bolts to the specs. they wanted.
The head bolts on the head below are Grade 8. The heads are on an 8BA.

[AnthonyG]

Got it��
Thx again

[Ol' Ron]

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use bolts on all my builds. torqued to 45 ft/lbs for 3 heat cycles

[Step-down]

I used 8 ba bolts on my 59ab with ford heads all good

[leon bee]

Man, if I'd bought new head bolts for all the stuff I've built I'd be, (even more) in debt.

[Ol' Ron]

The only thing good about all these junk blocka. WE have allot of extra bolts,valvesguids. etc.

[tubman]

Anybody bent on replacing good Ford script 8BA headbolts with studs, I'd be open to buying a set if they are in good condition. I would also be interested in partial sets. (I have a good block with no bolts.)

[Charlie ny]

Denny,
Ck yer PM's
Charlie ny

[AnthonyG]

I gotta ask, sounds like some of u think no prob using the head bolts I took out again? Engine has Offy al. Heads so really can’t imagine they were torqued beyond metal fatigue?sounds like use them again? Im not opposed to saving $’s if makes sense?

[tubman]

I've reused them a couple of times with no problem. Just look 'em over good and discard any that look sketchy.

[AnthonyG]

Who sells individual bolts Incase?

[GOSFAST]

Hi Anthony, use some good studs (ARP) and don't look back. no need for retorque either!

We are an ARP dealer but we don't order the dedicated Flathead kits, we put our own together here in-house! We have "special" thin washers (ARP's) for the bolts or studs. A number of members up here have ordered them from us!

Permatex #1 (hard setting) on the coarse ends, ARP's "Ultra-Lube" on the fine threads, torque them to 55# cold! That's it!

Thank, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. With most aluminum aftermarket heads the OEM bolts are probably going to be the wrong lengths, PLUS, you should have washers in the program with aluminum heads, regardless if bolts or studs! Here's a shot some head bolts with the washers, we use studs on almost every build here even though we do keep the bolts in stock!

[tubman]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

Who sells individual bolts Incase?

C&G Ford has them : $1.95 for the short ones, $2.50 for the long ones. I am getting some used ones from "Charle ny" on here for a bit less. You may want to PM him.

[AnthonyG]

Thx Tubman, if required w do. Thinking as I have the al. Head if it makes the 45 ft lbs click on the torque wrench I’m good. I’m a tool & die Maker Machinists & have pretty good feel, if it feels wonky I’ll back off & order what I need from C&G
Thx

[AnthonyG]

Thx GosFast, thx. Good info but I had the Al. Offy Heads on engine as built so know the lengths r good. Also as it was built w the from original rebuild @ United Engine Specialists Jerry Livingston I know the original torque was under 55 ft lbs. & Significantly under the tensile limits of the headbolts I have. Appreciate the input & have used the ARP head bolt hardware on my other two toys ‘67 442 & perfed up Mopar 383BB.
Thx