Best head bolts and gaskets

stroprock · Post by **stroprock** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:49 pm

What is the best quality composite head gasket and bolt type for a 3.5 Rover v8? Should I replace the bolts with standard early ones again or use the later stretch bolts? Or even ARP studs? Its only a mildly tuned engine (holley, Hurricane cam, tube headers etc), nothing mad.

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:08 am

Hi
Stock head bolts but leave out the row of short ones on the outside of the engine. Tin gaskets unless you need to lower the compression for some reason.
best regards

sidecar · Post by **sidecar** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:48 am

I would not use tins, someone on here did a survey ages ago and tins did not come out well. I'd go for comps and a head skim to keep the CR the same or even increase it within reason. The standard non-stretch bolts are fine but don't use the outer ones. (or only torque them the 15 ftlbs if you insist on using them).

stroprock · Post by **stroprock** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 1:51 pm

I heard Elring make the best, but they only do gaskets for 10 bolt heads and there's a lot of other types available which fit my heads (Elring are 10 bolt and I need 14 for the dipstick mounting). Are the 14 bolt ones ok quality wise as well?

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:23 pm

I've used OEM gaskets and bolts.

Chris.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:55 pm

It depends if you intend to have the heads off now and then for upgrades etc. If you think they may be coming off a few times over the next couple of years I would invest in ARP studs and nuts. They will outlast you and the car

If you fit Elring gaskets with 10 bolt holes just dont fit the outer row of bolts.

I left the dipstick bolt out and made a new clamp for the dipstick tube which is fixed onto the rocker cover. My rocker covers have a blind bit of casting along the top edge which I drilled and tapped for a rubber lined P clip.