Head bolts

[D7AKE]

Can you reuse them or do you have to fit new?

Si

[Chris LR]

You should fit new,as they're stretch bolts, re-using them isn't a good idea, but if you REALLY :!: have to you can get away with it for a short term, but I really DON'T recommend it.

[CP]

He's right

[rob.slader]

They are only a quid each from Vaux for genuine parts, thats a tenner for the lot. I know what I would do.

[Dicko]

yep use new bolts, if 1 snaps gud luck geting it out!!

make sure you use an angle guage to tighten them!!!

[mowgli]

It is possible to reuse them if you can't get new, but make sure they are really clean (wire wheel), and that the holes are spotless by poking rags down them.
I did once have a bolt shear, it was quite easy to remove with a screwdriver because once the bolthead was off, there was no force on the rest of the bolt.
Now I'm older & wiser, I wouldn't recommend reusing them, but when I first had a nova (1988) the Haynes manual had a torque stage missing, so I was changing head gaskets more often than my boxers. It ends up that GM had made an error in their manual, and Haynes had copied it.

At least I could do a head gasket in less time than the local dealer.