just bought and blown headgasket

[bdaza329]

ok i just got a 97 legacy gt w 155xxx miles and it has a blown headgasket. i have all the parts seals and new belts to start the project exept new head bolts. this project hasnt been completed yet because everyone keeps telling me i dont need new headbolts but i believe i do. i wanted to see what everyone says on the forums.

i used to work at salerno duane selling subarus... the techs over there said the head bolts are none stretch so u dont have to replace them

also a local mechanic that im friends with told me that i dont need to replace them when i stoped by to borrow a chain wrench for the crank pulley.

so anything to help me out with this lil problem would be awsome. also some tips are welcome as im more into hondas im new to subarus

i have searched, but only enough to find out that this is a real problem with this generation subaru not anything on changing the head bolts

thanks in advance guys

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'd say since you got several educated opinions telling you don't need new ones, that you don't need them.

[bdaza329]

yea but i was just seeing if anyone had any problems or knew of someone having problems down the line from not changing out the head bolts after overheating and blowing a head gasket. i believe so as well but i just would like a lil re assurance

thanks

[Huffer]

From the experienced tech heads that live around me (those who regularly dismantle their engines after gruelling autox's), you are safe to reuse the headbolts providing they are not damaged.

[dansherman]

I've been told that as long as you don't retorque them repeatedly (5+ times) they're fine. I'm in the middle of the same project and I'm reusing mine. If for some reason I have to pull them again, I might replace them, but probably not.

[shazapple]

New headbolts arnt that much, but you dont need to replace the old ones. Used headbolts have the threads bent down from their original position and maybe some stress strain hardening, but this isnt anything that will effect their performance.

[novacivic]

no you don't need new head bolts. just torque them to 72 ftlb and call it a day. I have been working for subaru for quite some time and have never heard of them needing to be replaced.

[STZYGT]

hold up... headbolts are ok to reuse like people say as long as there is not damage. The problem with reusing them is that in the torque process the metal streches and is unable to provide proper tension on the head gasket. So with as little torque that is required on these aluminum heads you will be fine. I did that job on my 98 outback. It went quick. I left my block in the car. but the techs at my shop take the engine out becuase it is only a few bell house bolts, but the downfall is you may not have a engine lift. Anyway when going back together there is a very spacific torque spequence that must be fallowed torqueing your heads on. it is part of the fix that subaru did to keep the gaskets from falling again. write me if you need it and i can get it for you

[SHOfast]

My opinion is reusing the bolts is fine. If you think this will eat away at you forever than go ahead and buy new ones, won't hurt anything except your wallet.

Try to use something other than the chain wrench, you will damage the crank pulley with it. Use an impact or lock the flywheel.