What is the socket called for the OEM headbolt?

#1

The bolt is some kind of Torx looking thing. What do I need to buy to screw it in?

#2

I can’t remember the specific size, but they’re external torx. I got my 7 piece set from pelicanparts and it had a size that fits the head bolts. Harborfreight calls em external star.

#3

Those are are external Torx. A good auto parts house should have the size you need, or you can get them from Sears. I can’t recall if Lowes or similar carries them.

#4

They are female torx or E-Torx. Are you installing the stock bolts? I was told that they are ‘torque to yield’ and are not reusable. Is this an absolute truth? Are ARP head bolts allowed withing the SE30 rules? They do not add to performance and do not perform any other function, but they are able to be re-torqued if you need to remove your head for any reason.

#5

Yes, those are torque-to-yield one-time use bolts.

#6

There was a discussion on ARP or OEM bolts on one of the forums. Not sure if their are legal, but a set of ARP bolts are 5-6 times more expensive than the OEM bolts. So unless you plan on taking the head off quite a few times OEM might be better in this case.

#7

When I pulled a head of one of these motors I just used a metric 12 pt socket and it worked just fine. Maybe 13mm or in that neighborhood. See if it fits before you buy tools. I almost went on a search for a torx like socked and my buddy said try the normal socket in your box and it worked.