' 97 Ford 4.2 experts

Fritz Maurer · Feb 3, 2013

OK! I camouflaged the post! Let's talk about guns! No, really, I have to pull the heads on my ' 97 F-150 for exhaust and spark plug problems. In an earlier post we determined that the head bolts cannot be reused. Can I use standard 10.9 metric bolts and hardened washers instead of Ford head bolts? I can save about $150 by going through my bolt supplier. But if I have to use Ford bolts, so be it. Thanks, Fritz

Mark-Ia · Feb 3, 2013

You will need to use the correct headbolts. A search on Ebay shows headbolts kits from $25.00- $55.00. They also shoe complete headgasket kits with bolts.

Determined · Feb 3, 2013

Check with your local parts store ,you can probably get a new set application specific from Felpro or similar for a lot less than dealership wants.

JD Seller · Feb 3, 2013

I think these are a torque to limit type of application. I would be concerned about the neck diameter of the regular bolts(in the neck shank area). If a regular bolt has a bigger shank diameter I would think it might over tighten the head.

This would be where you torque the head to ,lets say, 75 ft. lbs. then go 90 degrees more.

That extra is actually stretching the bolt. So a bolt with a different cross section would stretch harder. This causing a higher clamping force than the factory bolts. It also could be lower if the cross section is smaller. Most of these type of bolts are necked down in the shank area. Therefore they would have less clamping force than a straight shank bolt. This is also why you have to replace the bolts each time they are used. The old ones are stretched.

I have wondered the same thing many times but usually just go back to OEM bolts. I compare the cost of ruining the job to the extra bolt cost.

Kind of a rambling reply. LOL I think I used shank and stretched too many times.

Bryan inIowa · Feb 3, 2013

You can if you want to do it all over . OEM ,ARP or felpro bolts only .

robgIN · Feb 3, 2013

if you are using the MLS (multi layer steel) type headgaskets you should probably stick with the torque to yield stretchy bolts, should be cheaper aftermarket than from Ford, and like others said some come with the gasket kit, check around. You could go back to the older type gasket used in the 95 and older 3.8L and use headbolts that just torque normally, not the ones that stretch.I am not a big fan of torque to yield fasteners, but the MLS gaskets virtually never leaked on those engines, which is a big change from their predecessors.

Sean Feeney · Feb 3, 2013

here
28

Duner Wi · Feb 3, 2013

For $42.00 at Orielly's I would not chance it. $32.00 at Rock Auto but add shipping.
Price is for 16 bolts.

Gambles · Feb 3, 2013

I put together the 3.8 V6 in my daughter"s '95 Mustang a year or two ago and I got Fel-Pro replacements. It's still holding together and the price was right.

' 97 Ford 4.2 experts

Fritz Maurer

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Mark-Ia

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Determined

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JD Seller

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Bryan inIowa

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robgIN

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Sean Feeney

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Duner Wi

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Gambles

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