Stainless steel head bolts

[Truckedup]

ARP does sell SS head bolts for some engines....Is this just for looks or is there any advantage or disadvantage of stainless compared to non stainless bolts

[mag2555]

Stainless is used on motors who's head bolts pass into the water jacket .
Since it does not rust you will not eat up the block threads on motors that get torn down a lot for inspection , any eye Candy effect is secondary!

[wyrmrider]

Marine motors also
but I do not recommend running salt water, but some still do

[andyf]

I always use the SS head bolts on street engines to just avoid rust. They seem to work just fine. The material ARP uses isn't the low grade junk that cheap internet SS bolts are made out of.

[wyrmrider]

also hylomar if going into water, re-torqueable

[Stevespeed]

Make yourself a test fixture where you have access to both ends of your head bolt to measure bolt stretch with a micrometer. You will find ARP's stainless head bolts allow a more proper bolt stretch for proper torque retention as opposed to standard high grade bolts that will tear the threads out of the block before proper stretch is achieved. Not saying you can't bolt your head down with ARP's 190k tensile head bolts, just that the stainless are more forgiving like a stock bolt. 460 Ford with its big damn head bolts is a great example.

[JoePorting]

SS head bolts are junk, even the ARP's. Use standard ARP head bolts. SS head bolts lose their clamping force after a short time period.