Does it matter which cylinder head bolts i use on my 3door?
Last time i fitted the head, which was nearly 5 years ago, i remember something about early type and late type bolts, will both types fit or do i specifically need the early type?
Also the prices seem to vary a lot, ones from woodford garage are around £40 but then theres some on ebay for just over £10 but they state 'do not use for engines over 300bhp'.
I'll be running somewhere between 320-370bhp so whats the best ones to go for?
Not too keen on the idea of a stud and nut kit either as ive been told they can crack the block (not too sure how true that is though!)

 

Buy from Ford use the ealier ones and they will say KX1000 on the top of them.

Mark

 

If yr engine is the original you will have the early type. The difference is in the size of the washer/shroud if I remember correctly.

 

As above, if your head is the earlier type, then it will only take the smaller washer type.
Arp's don't crack blocks, idiots who don't bother to check things crack blocks, mine did 200,000 miles with arp stud/nut kit.
At your power level the std ford stretch bolts are fine, I just don't like stretchys so don't use them, although they are a very good idea with alloy head and cast block expanding at two very different rates.
tabetha

 

I fitted arp stud&nut kit on mines been fine running 355bhp.

 

The hole depth does seem to be a bit variable on the blocks, and with people not clearing the holes, then tapping etc, then over tightening studs can crack the blocks by lifting the threads.
The holes need ideally to be depth measured, and then if necessary the studs trimmed a few mm so that the shoulder of the stud sits in the recess around each hole, all then will be fine, I torque mine to 120lbft, rest 4 hours minimum retorque to 120 again.
tabetha