Are flywheel stretch bolts, one time use, or one time install., or both, bolts?

[H.G.P.]

I'm curious as to the nature of these bolts. Are flywheel stretch bolts, one time use, or one time installation bolts? (Or both)

Thanks

[silverc4s]

I am not sure that they are actually stretch bolts, as the rod bolts are; but I would never reuse them once they have been locktited in & removed...poor economy, IMHO...;-(

[Jim Sims]

They are "stretrch" screws; they can be screwed in "by hand" many times but should only be tightened to specified torque once. That means if you forgot the rear man seal and have to take the flywheel off after tightening the screws you need a new set of screws. Jim

[Tom F2]

YOu can reuse them on the 3.0 and later cars, but you do need new ones every time on the earlier cars. The failure mode is that the head pulls off of the bolt. You'll know it right away when it happens, because the bolts won't torque. I have reused them on one occasion in an early car, but it's crazy to take a chance on this critical part.

[H.G.P.]

Originally posted by Jim Sims
They are "stretrch" screws; they can be screwed in "by hand" many times but should only be tightened to specified torque once. That means if you forgot the rear man seal and have to take the flywheel off after tightening the screws you need a new set of screws. Jim

I installed a new seal OK. When the engine is dropped again though, I may want to inspect it (the seal), and make sure there's enough grease. They've (the screws) have been torqued, so I'll get new ones.

(Plan is to drop the engine again to replace oil cooler seals, and anything else that's convenient. I kept finding more and more projects while the engine was out, I decided instead to drive it for awhile)

[Wayne 962]

I always use new flywheels bolts when they have been torqued down once. My technical editor reuses them all the time though (using red Loctite to attach them) and has never had a problem.

-Wayne

[Rick Lee]

What do they cost - $2 each? So would you want to do another engine drop to save $18? If I even had a doubt about whether I had remembered to torque them, I'd get new ones. Imagine the headache of dealing with failed flywheel bolts. $18 is a small price to pay to avoid that.

[CarreraS2]

When I did my SC, I heard some say reuse with no problem, others said get new one.

I'm with Richard on this one, though - I just paid the small amount for new ones to be sure of no problems down the road. Wasn't a tough call to make for me.

[tsuter]

Somebody can have these free. You pay shipping.

No warranty!