Do i need new head bolts when rebuilding?

[hawkster0001]

Just doing a topend rebuild and was wondering if i should buy new bolts, or can i re-use the original?

 

[91warrior]

i know a lot of people do not, and i have not in the past, but i had one snap the head off one bolt just while trying to loosen a head bold. its up to you, but i would probably say it wouldnt be a bad idea, i think it was around $30 with the copper washers for all 4 bolts new from yamaha.

on a side note, i just priced them out with the copper washers, came out to $19.04 from ronniesmailorder.com that was without shipping however. also to add, head bolts are usually made to be tighten and stretched one time only, so if your putting money into the top end, i would say an extra $25 for head bolts isnt a bad idea at all.

 

[hawkster0001]

yeah we ended up just getting hte bolts anyways, oem was 2.50 a piece and plan on using the washers again, thanks

 

[bomber315]

hmmm ive never tought about this... nor am i sure what i think of it to be honest.... do you guys have anything to support this theroy besides what you have heard..... i can see where it makes complete sence to a point but i have NEVER seen anyone replace headbolts inless there was something wrong with one... hell for $2.50 a piece, ya might as well do it... it just never crossed my mind before

 

[hawkster0001]

just think about it 10 inch bolts that are bout 3/8 wide siting under 100+ pounds of pressure (cant remember the exact torque measurement) and constantly going back and forth from 70- 180 degrees and that for 20ish years, id just like to put new there likely to break when you rebuild somthing that old

 

[missouritrailrider]

any car engine rebuild uses new head bolts, or it should. so id say ya