EJ head bolt recommendations

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon May 14, 2012 12:28 am

G'day all,

I'm preparing for the worst after my mishap this arvo...

I'm currently looking at head bolts, I was looking at a stud setup, but they're way way outside my price range at the moment! I'm still yet to check with my local to see what they've got/can do for me.

I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations towards brand or quality of head bolt - does it really matter? I don't want to be doing the HG's again in 6 months! I've eyeing off this set:

EJ head bolts on fleabay

Any tips appreciated!

Cheers

Bennie

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Mon May 14, 2012 1:35 am

Hey Bennie,
Last time I checked a good quality head bolt set for the ej22 was about 44.00 here. International postage would come in around 47.00 also.
Hopefully you can source locally at a good price and not have to take a hit on postage.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon May 14, 2012 7:29 am

T'subaru wrote:Last time I checked a good quality head bolt set for the ej22 was about 44.00 here. International postage would come in around 47.00 also.
Hopefully you can source locally at a good price and not have to take a hit on postage.

Thanks mate! Problem over here is our governments love affair with tax! I can find items in the US that are still a pot load cheaper than what I can source locally - even when our dollar is at parody or a little less than the US dollar, including the postage!

I'll see what happens today and make some inquiries incase I need to go a head with it. I'm keen to go studs but at $200.00+ I definitely can't afford that. This the cheapest set I could find on fleabay but even then it's still for the DOHC models, not the SOHC - I'm not sure if there's a difference!

Cheers

Bennie

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Mon May 14, 2012 12:35 pm

http://www.arp-bolts.com/pages/viewcatalog.shtml

^you can download their catalogue here^

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon May 14, 2012 11:40 pm

From memory, the DOHC ones are slightly longer but going stud/nut combo then this doesn't really come into play.

I have only replaced the head bolts when the engine has really overheated. When doing a head gasket type replacement, I just clean out both thread areas and a dab of engine oil, then it's back on.

I like using the stud conversion on race engines as heads come on and off lots of times but for you (IMO) I'd just use the old bolts.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue May 15, 2012 7:36 pm

RSR 555 wrote:I have only replaced the head bolts when the engine has really overheated. When doing a head gasket type replacement, I just clean out both thread areas and a dab of engine oil, then it's back on.

Not that I need it now, but you're saying the use of the old head bolts is not an issue?

I've not had any signs so far of a blown head gasket. Ruby Scoo's going back to Hotham tomorrow, I'm sure that with all the different conditions from the drive that something will show up along the way if there is an issue.

Cheers

Bennie

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:52 pm

El_Freddo wrote:Not that I need it now, but you're saying the use of the old head bolts is not an issue?

Can not count the number of engines I have put back together without any issues but it's not what they recommend.

Brumby Kid · Post by **Brumby Kid** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:56 pm

Bennie, are you going to use Studs or Bolts?
Yes Studs are expensive but well worth it.
The advice i was given ws go genuine, unless you go with arp but they are more likely more expensive.
Yes you can reuse them, only problems with this is if they brake taking them out, or if they are ruiend in any way, rusted, coroded etc.

Cheers Cam

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:58 pm

ive got a set of ARP studs suit, $150 only done 400km

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu May 17, 2012 1:36 am

Thanks for the offers and the advice. I've been watching the temp and oil "contents" and I'm happy to report that at the moment Ruby Scoo's looking all clear for a HG.

I'm yet to check the oil and coolant levels/content since arriving at Hotham again, but she ran perfect on the way up here - as usual.

Cheers

Bennie