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!

[Accelo]

You can not resize LS rods, because they are not ground but as mentioned are cracked. This leaves the metal grain, and the cap and hod match each other perfectly. One of the reasons for their strength.
Rod bolts are reusable, however. Even though, they use the torque and then an angle. It is a way to torque with more accuracy than just using torque by its self. Mains do not require replacement either for the same reason.
The head bolts, and harmonic balancer bolt do require replacement. It is a function of the steel type and the tightening values. GM covers torque values and which one are reusable in their manuals.
ARP bolts are reusable, you use the instructions that come with the bolts. They also supply special lube that is required when assembling with the ARP bolts.

[hooperca]

Thanks! I think you answered my questions and concerns. I appreciate it!

[truckdude239]

they are reuseable last i checked but its cheap insurance to just replace them

[mxerhale]

I put in new head bolts because of boost, but reused the rod bolts because of everything that Matt Happel has to say on the subject. His Youtube channel "Sloppy Mechanics" is full of his years of making ludicrous amounts of power on stock bolts and after driving my truck around on up to 10psi of boost for over a year, I trust them too!