head bolt question
 

it seems the stock headbolts are recommended to be replaced. but they are expensive as crap. ive also read that if they havent stretched past a certain length that they can be reused, however, the length wasnt posted. does anyone know what the max length of the headbolts can be to safely reuse them? or where the cheapest place to get new headbolts is? cheapest ive found was $84. i wish theyd have spent a few extra dollars and used better bolts like the earlier toyota engines so they could be reused. then again, they prolly did this on purpose so they could charge for the bolts every time a head has to come off.

i'd say if you're rebuilding it, hell with it just buy some ARP head studs....

mind you, they're cheap as hell for the 7m, no clue on pricing for the 1uz.

they are like $260 for the cheapest ones. way out of budget for this repair. i didnt expect to need headstuds at all, or i prolly wouldnt have pulled the head at all. would of fought to get the damn nut out till it came out.

ask on lextreme, you should be alright reusing the headbolts at least once.

il lask. cheapest i could find the headbolts was $86. but i dont want to have to pull the heads back off for a bhg in the future because i reused the bolts. i may just say screw it and buy them anyway to be safe.

ok, i have confirmed the 90-2000ls400 all take the same head bolts. this place has the boltset for $47 for anyone else that needs them. at this price, i rather be safe then sorry.

http://headbolts.com/lexus.html

just checked autozone for a 98 gs400, they have then for $21 per head. gonna order them on payday and verify they are the correct bolts before using obviously.

i do have a question on tqing the headbolts though. ive read on some sitis its 29ft/lbs, then 90deg on the next step.

however ive also read it is 29ft/lbs, 90deg 2nd step, and also 90deg 3rd step. which is correct?

A job like this I wouldn't take a chance on using the same bolts. Like ya said, ya don't want to do the job again b/c of a bad bolt.
My manual for the '93 says the head bolts get tightened 29 ft/lbs and 90* on 2nd step. NO 3rd step.
This is the sequence of tightening, if you don't have that already.


10 4 2 5 7

8 6 1 3 9

<<<<

9 3 1 6 8

7 5 2 4 10

i tighten all heads starting from the inside then crisscrossing out. all the supra engines have 14 bolts though. you get tired after awhile. using a mhg it gets fully tqrd in 3 steps, then loosened back in sequence, then repeat 2 more times. after the 3rd time tqing it tight, thats when you leave it alone. luckily i dont have to do that with these composite hg's.

if you line all the bolts up next to each other you can actually see if ones stretched because it will be longer than the others........ where did you find bolts for 47?

actually found them for $42. autozone sells them for $21 per head. just ask for a 98 gs400.

the $47 was from headbolts.com as i posted earlier.

There is also a minimum diameter to replace the bolts. Standard outside diameter is 9.770 - 9.960 mm (0.3846 - 0.3921 in.)
Minimum diameter is 9.60 mm ( 0.3780 in.)
Measuring point is 25 mm (0.98in.) from threaded end.
Either way, I still say "replace them"

for $42, im replacing them. not worth the risk imho.

the bolts came in today. the box said "3uz' on it even though i ordered for a 98 gs400. they are the correct bolts. i brought one of the old ones to compare it to. so they are $21 per head at autozone. part number ES72202

I didn't replace my headbolts, no leaks on mine, we'll see after boost.