Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Head Bolt Washer

Hi,
Do you gentlemen use head bolt washers when installing a head on a Chevy 250 inline six? If so are the washers of any special alloy or grade? Thank you for your help.

Regards,
Ken

Since they don't come on these engines originally, it wouldn't be necessary to install them. Nothing wrong with installing them if you want to though, just be aware that you will loose several threads of bolt engagement due to the thickness of the washer, and you would want to get longer bolts to compensate for that. Grade 8 washers will work fine if choose to use them, and ARP sells them in bulk quantities.

I don't believe any Chevy engine from that era ever used a washer on the head bolts. Washers for this type of application are from modern era engines where the washer acts to provide some sort of clearance and may also include an upward facing chamfer that mates with a radius ridge machined into the bolt. I believe washers are universal when head bolts are replaced with studs.

No need for headbolt washers.