Reuse LS Bolts

[hooperca]

I’ve searched and searched and found so much contradictory statements that I’m totally confused. I’m in the early stages of rebuilding my 2001 LQ4. I understand that the head bolts need to be replaced. Easy peasy. What about the rods and mains?

So, I trust the guys, and gals 😃, on this forum more than any others…do y’all always replace the rod and main bolts? If you replace the rod bolts does it require resizing the big end?

I want, and will, do the right thing but I don’t want to waste money either! This will be a bone stock LQ4 with long tube headers and a SS2 cam - that’s it! It’s going in my SWB 67 and will never be raced or anything. It’s just a toy to enjoy and have fun with.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[LS short box]

I would ask the same question over on LS1tech.com.
My .02.
New cylinder head bolts.
Reuse the rod bolts.
New main bolts.

[hooperca]

I didn’t think about ls1tech and I appreciate your input. Thanks!

[Joyridin]

As long as they are not torque-to-yield like the head bolts, you should be good to use them again.

[hooperca]

That’s part of the confusion. Some people say they aren’t tty, they are torque to angle and can be reused. Others say anything torque to angle is the same as tty.

In addition, some say if you replace the rod bolts, even with factory bolts, the rod ends need to be resized. I just can’t believe that’s right but this is my first foray into ls motors and I don’t have a clue.

[Joyridin]

The rod bolts are definitely TTY. So are the head bolts. The mains, I am not so sure.

I use ARP and they are clear whether they can be reused or not.

[hooperca]

Do you have to do anything to the rods? Resize or anything?

[Joyridin]

You are supposed to resize them when you install new bolts, but most LS rods have the cap cracked instead of cut and machined, so I have no idea how you would resize them or if you can. I am going to say you just install the bolts, check the clearance, and call it a day.

[hooperca]

Okay. Thanks to all for the responses!