Head bolts

[Stephen R.]

I have a question on the length of the longer head bolts for a 283 engine. I am bolting on two #550 heads onto a #519 block so I ordered two head bolt sets. Each set contained eight 1 3/4" bolts; two 3" bolts and seven 3 3/4" bolts. The two 3" bolts were too short and would not catch the threads in any of the holes. I checked around and all the sets including the ones at Paragon have those two short bolts that I can't use. What am I missing? Where do these sort bolts go? I think I need nine 3 3/4 inch bolts for each head.
Thanks
Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: Head bolts

I have a question on the length of the longer head bolts for a 283 engine. I am bolting on two #550 heads onto a #519 block so I ordered two head bolt sets. Each set contained eight 1 3/4" bolts; two 3" bolts and seven 3 3/4" bolts. The two 3" bolts were too short and would not catch the threads in any of the holes. I checked around and all the sets including the ones at Paragon have those two short bolts that I can't use. What am I missing? Where do these sort bolts go? I think I need nine 3 3/4 inch bolts for each head.
Thanks
Steve

Steve-----

Chevrolet small block head bolt configuration changed about the time that your heads and block were in original use. 1955-58 used just 2 length head bolts----1-3/4" and 3-3/4". For 1959+ 3 different length head bolts were used---the foregoing 2 lengths plus 3". I always thought that 1959 heads like your '550' heads used the 3 different length bolts. Apparently not. So, I'd say you require just the 1-3/4" bolts (for the lower external bolts) and the 3-3/4" bolts (for all other positions).

[Stephen R.]

Re: Head bolts

Thanks Joe. I was a little worried about the possibility of warping the heads, blowing out a gasket or sticking a "too long a bolt" into a short hole and screwing something up.
Steve

[Bill M.]

Re: Head bolts

Steve-----

Chevrolet small block head bolt configuration changed about the time that your heads and block were in original use. 1955-58 used just 2 length head bolts----1-3/4" and 3-3/4". For 1959+ 3 different length head bolts were used---the foregoing 2 lengths plus 3". I always thought that 1959 heads like your '550' heads used the 3 different length bolts. Apparently not. So, I'd say you require just the 1-3/4" bolts (for the lower external bolts) and the 3-3/4" bolts (for all other positions).

The easiest way to remember the change is: When the valve cover bolts went from staggered to straight, the 2 short head bolts were adopted.