63 cylinder head bolts

[Carl S.]

Are the head bolts marking judjed? Are there supplirers of correct head bolds? My questions are a result of my enjine rebuilder reluctance to reuse head bolts. He has his preferance that he trust when he puts his name on a rebuild. I cant blame him for that. my request was that he use only the bolts that show. My cylinders will be bored 0.03 oversize, will this require a diferent cam profial? One cylinder had rust do to a leak, the car was parked for 13 years befor I got it.

I am still looking for a place to have the body restroyed and painted. I have a 63 with saddle inside and out.

Thanks for all the help in advance
Carl

[Carl S.]

Re: 63 cylinder head bolts

I forgot to say I live in north New Jersey Stirling 07980
Carl

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 cylinder head bolts

Some engine cylinder head bolts are designed to stretch inelastically, and once they reach a specified unloaded length, replacement is recommended.

This design does NOT apply to vintage Chevrolet engines. There is no need to replace the head bolts.

You need to find a shop that understands vintage engine RESTORATION!

Overboring does not require a "different cam profile".

You should do some archive searching. Engine restoration has been discussed many, many, many times.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 cylinder head bolts

Carl-----

I understand why your engine builder is being cautious. However, if the engine had not been previously rebuilt (which is usually apparent for a number of reasons), then there's no need to be concerned about re-using head bolts, assuming that they've suffered no apparent damage. The only compromise to head bolts is if they have ever been overtorqued. The factory would not have done this; they have precision equipment to ensure proper torque. So, if no one has "messed with them" between the time that the engine was first manufactured and now, then there's no reason to be concerned.

Original small block head bolts usually have a 5/8" "across-the-flats" hex head with a "raised circle" around the perimeter. A common headmark was "C", although I'm sure that others were used. GM has not sold these bolts in years. They were replaced by bolts with a washer head and reduced diameter wrenching surface. I don't know of any reproductions. However, head bolts available from Pioneer might still have a similar configuration to originals.

[Clem Z.]

if the bolt threads show signs of rust

do not reuse them because the the threads will be somewhat eaten away reducing their diameter and could cause the block to have the threads stripped out. i have seen this happen more than once.