Head bolts are TOO expensive

houseofmiller · Post by **houseofmiller** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:57 pm

My '90 Legacy with 183k miles is losing coolant at an alarming rate. It's not going on the ground. I don't see any in the oil. The only thing I can think of is it is going into the cylinder and burning off. I guess one or both of the head gaskets are toast. While calling around for parts, I discovered that you must use new head bolts and they cost about $95 dollars from AutoZone. I haven't seen them any where else for much cheaper. Does anyone have any ideas where I can get them for less than this?
Do I really have to replace the head bolts everytime?

Thanks for the info.

Chris

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 5:00 pm

Believe it or not, but the dealer has them for much cheaper. I too was in your same boat at the end of last year, I called autozone, kragen, and pep boys all were 80-90 bucks (I only called out of curiousity). I believe I paid 50 or 60 dollars for mine with washers, and I feel safe that they're OEM quality/build/spec, instead of some knock off brand from auto zone. Of all the stuff you have to buy, don't buy engine parts from auto zone. Also both the dealers I called had different prices for the headbolts so call around before you buy.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 5:14 pm

And if your local dealers don't have good prices, try some online discount dealers.

petridish38 · Post by **petridish38** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:20 pm

Part # 11095AA090

I paid $3.24 for each of the 12 bolts from www.subaruparts.com

And no, you dont HAVE to use new bolts.... but I definitely would....

Andrew

91l-t · Post by **91l-t** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 11:17 pm

i reused mine and haven't seen a problem... the dealer doesn't replace them either they just reuse.

rich

NICO · Post by **NICO** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:49 am

you dont have to get new ones who told you that, thats the stupidest thing i have heard .

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:51 am

Bolts fatigue. However, since the torque spec isn't that high anyway, I wouldn't worry about it unless you'll be running serious boost and want to peace of mind.

Steve

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 7:08 am

If you plan to reuse your head bolts, you should first check and make sure they haven't yielded at all. Bolt stretch can be hard to detect with the naked eye, so it might be better to use a thread pitch gauge on the threaded portion of the bolt. I don't know exactly how you could be sure the unthreaded portion hasn't stretched though.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 7:22 am

measure it maybe?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:49 pm

Right, you could measure it with a caliper if you had a new bolt to compare it to...

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:23 pm

Or measure them all and if they're all the same assume they're either all stretched equally or more likely that they're fine. Not that I've ever done that with a part when I'd otherwise have to hobble a production line while I waited weeks for a new one ...

Steve

NICO · Post by **NICO** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 1:09 pm

get a pice of cardboard and poke them in + the valves the exzact way, they came out that way they go back in that way.

everything must be in the same spot mark everything nothing must be wrong and you will be fine

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Head bolts are TOO expensive

Head bolts are TOO expensive