Head bolts! -04/04+

[molitor]

When comparing the price between earlier and later headbolt kit, you all have probably noticed a huge difference in price. About 100 dollars in some cases.

I'm trying to find out if anybody has had success drilling the two outer headbolts and tapping them for the Longer 04 and later bolts.

The issues i see are possible casting problem with the blocks, If the bolts were made shorter because if a cavity in the water jacket or something to that effect, you could actually drill the whole out too far and ruin the block.
if anybody has heard anything about this or done this themselves i would like some info.

Or if you happen to know the reason GM used the two shorter outer head bolts.

[George C]

for wht you want to do. just use GM TTY head bolts for yoru correct year. you dont need teh arp stuff right now. also if you say if you change your heads, how many times do you plan to change your heads to justify the price of the studs? stock head bolts 60 bucks. thats 5 head changes for price of the studs. youre na stock head bolts will be fine, even n20 youll be fine.

[truckinL33]

Yea, those stock head bolts should be ok and the easiest to use. Just make sure all the bolt holes are clean, and remember there's a different torque spec if you use engine oil vs. moly lube.

[molitor]

i'll use whatever the specs call for, but i always try to use assembly lube with moly

[farmtruc]

Head bolts are cheap regardless of what year, just don't buy them from the stealership.
We got to Full Service Auto, I think per side is $25 or so, could be for both sides, but i can't remember.
Or, for a $150 or less, buy the arp head bolts, if you plan on removing your heads more than a few times.

[Beatdown Z]

The 04 and later head bolts are all the same, short length. The 03 and earlier head bolts have the two short ones on the ends with the real long bolts for the rest of them. I got mine from Rock Auto, $18 per side for the early style bolts.