98 XK8 98K with a broken camshaft, I am doing a repair on the good head, valve seating etc. and replacing the broken head as it's the cheapest way to go. Jag manual states that the head bolts can be used twice. People have advised me to put in new one, the best price so far is $270 I believe I read some where on the forum that someone used cheap Ford bolts, would any body have that part number or know how to find it. Do I really need to renew them, I understand that they have some stretch in them but how bad. I would appreciate input from the Forum. Thanks

 

Someone may have listed the Ford parts recently, try the search function. Otherwise, just ask the parts dept. for Lincoln LS or Thunderbird bolts. And yes, they can be reused once, but I didn't think twice was OK.

 

RockAuto has the FelPro Lincoln LS '02 bolts for about $32 per head. For $32 I might replace them since I hardly ever get anything completed right the first time.

 

Sorry I meant reuse once or use twice when new.

 

I reused mine, but but if you can get the cheaper ones, might as well replace them. Have a look at my head gasket thread on the tools for torquinng them. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...r-97146/page4/

 

Thanks Rob, I haven't looked up the torque specs. yet but 300LBS. I HAD BETTER STEP UP MY PACE AT THE GYM.My chains and guides arrived with metal primaries tensioners. Ordered replacement head today and sent the remaining camshafts to be tested so that I know they were good before installation. Thanks again for all your inputs guy's it's been a great help as usual.

 

The head torque is about 30 lb ft and then each bolt is tightened 90 degrees then 90 again. That little angle indicator is required. I used a long breaker bar for that.

 

As an aircraft mechanic speaking here, once a bolt has been torqued, stressed and loosened it always looses some integrity in the tension and torsion properties. I would highly recommend the replacement of all the critical hardware, especially since you are right there. I wouldn't chance it, but that's just me.

 

Hi Doug,

I am also an aircraft mechanic, and I am comfortable reusing them once because the JTIS says I can. I can be a bit cheap sometimes, I admit, but if the AMM says it's ok, why not?

Having said that, if I had an acceptable less expensive set available, I'd use them. However official Jag bolts were over $300 a set! At the time I did my heads, I couldn't find enough info on this site to say for sure the Ford or Land Rover ones were ok to use, so I decided to reuse mine.

 

I have located some Ford bolts, has anyone used them, why such a difference in Jag price. Is there such a difference in quality, I mean we are almost up to stealth bomber and such prices.

 

Several members have used them, both XK8 andXJ8. If you want a professional opinion, try sending a PM to motgorcarman.

 

Motorcarman

 

Thanks Test Point

 

Thanks RJ237

 

Thanks everyone for your help.