Got an eBay auction for you Joe Lucia!

[Steve Antonucci]

Hey Joe,

In the spirit of your recent eBay post auction analyses, I thought I'd post
this one for you. How's $293.99 strike you for a used set of BB head bolts
from a 68 396?

I'm shocked that anyone would spend that kind of money for used ( stretched )
head bolts.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: Got an eBay auction for you Joe Lucia!

Steve-----

Well, you'd never catch me paying anything like that for this kind of used parts. Generally, what I call "first run" head bolts are ok for further use ("first run" by my definition means bolts originally installed at the factory, removed, and never re-installed by others). The problem is that it's virtually impossible to determine the history of used bolts. So, one never knows if the bolts have been over-torqued by some klutz and ruined.

The real absurdity here is that the bolts currently available from GM for big block applications are very close to the originals. The only difference is a very small difference in the size of the "cross" and, perhaps, a different headmarking (in one quadrant of the cross). Would I use used headbolts of unknown history (even if I got them for FREE) just so I could have completely correct markings? Not a chance.

[tom444634]

Re: Got an eBay auction for you Joe Lucia!

Wow! I recently rebuilt my 71 LS5 and could not bring myself to throw out the original head bolts so they are sitting in a box in the garage. Maybe I should put them up on ebay to help defray the costs from my rebuild!