84-95/96-01 head bolts - what are the differences?

[EVIL95XJ]

topic title says it all

thanks

[woodjeep]

This is a guess since I have also asked this question in past threads...I think the 96 and up uses the stamped steel and rubber valve cover gasket... the valve covers are different between 92 and 96. The 96 is stamped steel...crappy... and the 92 is thick cast alluminum. ...I had to grind the bottom lip off my 92 valve cover to fit on my 96 head...this gasket (96) has two alignment holes in it where it fits into the two headbolts that have little smooth studs on the top..they go on the passenger side as opposed to the bolts with the 7/16 threaded studs on top that run under the fuel rail. I threw out my old 92 bolts without comparing...but I think the 95 and below used the plain cork valve cover gasket and did not need the bolts with the alignment pins. I do know that my 92 had 1/2 inch dia bolts same as 96...you can probably use the 96 and up for any year but cannot use the pre 96 bolts with the later models because you need those alignment studs

[IH 392]

the 96 and up uses the stamped steel and rubber valve cover gasket... the valve covers are different between 92 and 96. The 96 is stamped steel...crappy... and the 92 is thick cast alluminum.

You have it a little backwards, the aluminum cover is the SIEVE!, the steel cover is the one that doesn't leak!, everyone MASHES! the cork under the aluminum cover ad distorts it so it wont seal, the steel covers use stands in the gasket so it can't be over tightened.

[EVIL95XJ]

without close inspection it seems all thats different is the head of the bolt?

[woodjeep]

That would be my guess...You can intermix any block with any head so the bolts have to be similar enough to do this..I'm pretty sure the only difference is the 2 bolts with the little nipples to hold the later model valve cover gasket

[92tank]

and from what i have noticed the newer ones are 12 point(1/2 inch socket IIRC) and the older ones are 6(5/8 inch socket IIRC)