[F250gasburner]

Well im puttin new heads on my 90 f250 5.8 and i got everything but the head bolts iv always replaced them but parts stores nor dealerships can get em they say they are discontinued . Id hate to reuse but what are my options? anyone think it would hurt? Should i throw an extra 1/8 to 1/4 turn on the torque specs? Thanks for any help

[Kruser]

I'm pretty sure ARP makes both the replacement studs and the regular head bolts. I hate to direct anybody to the site, but at last resort, ebay will have new ones.
Never give head bolts an extra grunt on the torque specs.

[MichaelJennnings]

Originally Posted by F250gasburner

Well im puttin new heads on my 90 f250 5.8 and i got everything but the head bolts iv always replaced them but parts stores nor dealerships can get em they say they are discontinued . Id hate to reuse but what are my options? anyone think it would hurt? Should i throw an extra 1/8 to 1/4 turn on the torque specs? Thanks for any help

I had to replace several exhaust manifold bolts on my 88 F250 460 a few years ago. The dealership had them and they were very expensive. I located a local fastener company that had the hardened bolts I needed at about half the cost. Do some research on it. There is probably a place locally to you that might have the bolts.

I also agree, don't over torque the bolts if you can't locate them. You will only succeed in damaging the head, block and potentially snapping the bolt off in the block. Then you will have one VERY expensive repair job.

[Kruser]

Originally Posted by MichaelJennnings

The dealership had them and they were very expensive. I located a local fastener company that had the hardened bolts I needed at about half the cost. Do some research on it. There is probably a place locally to you that might have the bolts.

Good advice for everyone.
I overhauled the engine in my daughter's Mustang a few months ago. For an engine that was used in 3/4ths of all Mustangs built that year, (3.8 V6) I was amazed at how many of the parts Ford has discontinued. For parts that I thought important to use factory, I bought a lot of parts from Green Ford, who specialize in discontinued parts. I also have a few web addresses for other companies that buy Ford surplus/discontinued parts and resell them. For simple parts like fasteners, I bought for other sources. After you buy a few genuine Ford parts, you soon figure out how Ford gets the money to pay for executive salaries.