i am rebuilding my 3.0 and i am curious if i can reuse my old head bolts? also can anyone tell me if there is a re-ring kit i can get. and where.

 

Check with Ford to see what they recommend. If they are pitted or have been over torqed or are rusty I would replace them. I would call Ford if it were my engine or look in a FACTORY MANUAL not after market manual.

Edit: I just looked at my 2003 factory manual and it didn't say anything about replacing the head bolts as normal procedure.

 

Most places and mechanics will recommend replacing the bolts after removal. Don't know why?

 

Never.
They are "toque-to-yield" bolts that stretch when torqued to provided some elastisity. Once they are torqued to spec, they can not be retightened or reused. That's why I use my head studs, you can add more clamping force (torque) and they are 100% reuseable.

 

Ahhh, haaa, I knew if I posted something someone would pipe in. Thanks Fred. Ford manual said nothing which is quite interesting since they are selling parts huh. Plus side is studs don't damage block threads and super good for a racing engine.

 

Only Pre-'98's I'm afraid - In 1998 they reduced the bolts from 11mm to 10mm and lengthened the thread grip, so the older dtuds are too wide and too short