Chevy 350 Small-Block Head Bolt Torque & Tightening Sequence

<h1>Chevy 350 Small-Block Head Bolt Torque &amp; Tightening Sequence</h1>

<p>Tighten a small-block Chevy cylinder head by cranking each bolt straight down one at a time and you'll warp the head, crush the gasket unevenly, and end up chasing blown compression or coolant in your oil. The fix is simple: torque the head bolts <strong>in the correct sequence</strong>, starting at the center and working outward, in <strong>stages</strong>. Here are the exact specs and the full tightening order for the Chevy 350 — and the rest of the small-block family.</p>

<h2>Chevy 350 Head Bolt Torque Specs</h2>

<p>The right value depends on which bolts you're running. Always confirm against the service manual for your specific engine and head combination.</p>

| Bolt / Application | Torque | Method |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Standard bolts (cast-iron heads) | 65 ft-lbs | 3 stages: 25 → 45 → 65 |

| ARP / aftermarket bolts | 65–75 ft-lbs | Multi-stage (e.g. 40–45 then 70–75); use ARP lube |

| LT-series (1995 &amp; earlier) | 65 ft-lbs | Same as standard, in stages |

| TTY bolts (1996+ LT &amp; LS) | ~22 ft-lbs + angle | Then turn (short ~67–80°, long ~80°); never reuse |

<div class="my-6"><img src="https://pub.hyperagent.com/api/published/pbf01KVFBD2MS_3QN27GYXMAA9NYVN/sbc_seq.png" alt="Small-Block Chevy head bolt torque sequence diagram with bolts numbered 1 to 17 from the center outward" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="w-full rounded-xl shadow-lg" /><span class="block text-sm text-muted-foreground mt-2 text-center italic">Small-Block Chevy head-bolt sequence — start at the center (bolt 1) and spiral outward, crisscrossing side to side.</span></div>

<h2>Why the Tightening Sequence Matters</h2>

<p>A head gasket seals two very different things at once: high-pressure <strong>combustion gas</strong> inside each cylinder, and the <strong>coolant and oil</strong> flowing through passages between the head and block. To seal all of it, the clamping load from the bolts has to be spread <strong>evenly</strong> across the whole gasket.</p>

<p>Fully torque one bolt before the others and you pull that corner down hard while the rest lifts — warping the deck and crushing the gasket unevenly. The payoff is blown compression between cylinders, coolant seeping into the oil, external leaks, or a warped head that needs machining. Tightening from the center outward, in stages, lets the gasket compress flat and uniform.</p>

<h2>Small-Block Chevy Head Bolt Tightening Sequence (1–17)</h2>

<p>The small-block Chevy head uses <strong>17 head bolts</strong> arranged around four combustion chambers. Tighten them in numbered order, <strong>starting at the center bolt (1) and spiraling outward</strong>, crisscrossing side to side. Run the entire sequence at each stage (25, then 45, then 65 ft-lbs) — never jump straight to final torque on a single bolt.</p>

<p>Using row labels <strong>A = intake side</strong>, <strong>B = middle row</strong>, <strong>C = exhaust side</strong> (bolts numbered left to right), the factory order is:</p>

<p><strong>B3 → A3 → C5 → C4 → A2 → B4 → C6 → C3 → B2 → A4 → C7 → C2 → A1 → B5 → C8 → C1 → B1</strong></p>

<h2>How to Torque SBC Head Bolts, Step by Step</h2>

<ul>

<li>Clean and dry the deck and bolt holes — chase the threads if needed. A dirty or oiled blind hole gives a false torque reading.</li>

<li>Lightly oil the threads and under the bolt heads per the manual (or use ARP lube for ARP bolts).</li>

<li>Run the full sequence to <strong>25 ft-lbs</strong>.</li>

<li>Run it again to <strong>45 ft-lbs</strong>.</li>

<li>Run it a final time to <strong>65 ft-lbs</strong> (or the angle spec for TTY bolts).</li>

<li>Use a calibrated torque wrench — never an impact gun.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Tools &amp; Parts for the Job</h2>

<p>The right tools make the difference between a clean seal and a comeback:</p>

<ul>

<li>A calibrated <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=1%2F2+inch+torque+wrench&amp;tag=whatsizebol0a-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">1/2" torque wrench</a> — the only reliable way to hit spec in stages.</li>

<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ARP+small+block+chevy+head+bolt+kit&amp;tag=whatsizebol0a-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">ARP small-block Chevy head bolt (or stud) kit</a> if you're upgrading from worn factory bolts.</li>

<li>A fresh <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=small+block+chevy+head+gasket+set&amp;tag=whatsizebol0a-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">small-block Chevy head gasket set</a> — never reuse a gasket.</li>

<li>A <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cylinder+head+bolt+thread+chaser&amp;tag=whatsizebol0a-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">thread chaser</a> to clean the block's bolt holes before assembly.</li>

</ul>

<div class="bg-primary/5 border border-primary/20 rounded-xl p-5 my-6"><span class="block font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-1">Not sure which bolt you're holding?</span><span class="block mb-3">Snap a photo and our <a href="https://www.whatsizebolt.com/ai-bolt-identifier/"><strong>AI Bolt Identifier</strong></a> will name the size, thread, and type in seconds — handy when you're mixing factory and ARP hardware.</span><span class="block"><a href="https://www.whatsizebolt.com/ai-bolt-identifier/"><strong>Identify your bolt with AI →</strong></a></span></div>

<h2>Common Mistakes</h2>

<ul>

<li><strong>Skipping the pattern</strong> — tightening front-to-back or one side at a time warps the head.</li>

<li><strong>One-shot torquing</strong> — going straight to 65 ft-lbs instead of building up in stages.</li>

<li><strong>Reusing torque-to-yield bolts</strong> — TTY bolts stretch permanently; always replace them.</li>

<li><strong>Dirty threads</strong> — debris or oil in a blind hole hydro-locks the bolt and ruins the reading.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

<h3>What is the head bolt torque on a Chevy 350?</h3>

<p>For standard cast-iron heads with factory bolts, 65 ft-lbs, reached in three stages (25, 45, then 65 ft-lbs) following the center-out sequence. ARP bolts typically call for 65–75 ft-lbs with ARP lube — follow ARP's instructions.</p>

<h3>What is the head bolt torque sequence for a small-block Chevy?</h3>

<p>Start at the center bolts and work outward in a crisscross pattern (numbered order 1 → 17). Running the sequence keeps clamping load even so the gasket seals and the head doesn't warp.</p>

<h3>Can I reuse small-block Chevy head bolts?</h3>

<p>Standard SBC head bolts can generally be reused if they're clean, straight, and undamaged. Torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts on 1996+ LT and LS engines must be replaced every time — they stretch permanently when torqued.</p>

<h2>Find Your Exact Spec</h2>

<p>Need numbers for a different engine or vehicle? <a href="https://www.whatsizebolt.com/fastener-search/">Look up any vehicle's fastener torque and bolt sizes</a> on WhatSizeBolt, or browse our <a href="/knowledge-hub/tty-bolts/">torque-to-yield bolt guide</a> and <a href="/knowledge-hub/wheel-lug-nut-sizes-torque-specs/">wheel lug nut torque specs</a>. When in doubt, use a calibrated torque wrench and follow the factory value.</p>

<p><em>This guide is for reference — always follow the manufacturer's service manual and use a calibrated torque wrench. Replace torque-to-yield bolts.</em></p>

<p><em>As an Amazon Associate, WhatSizeBolt earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.</em></p>