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Head Bolt Kit - 1963-2001 Ford Small Block 289 & 302
PART # SKU XP985
Original price
£29.00
-
Original price
£29.00
Original price
£29.00
£29.00
-
£29.00
Current price
£29.00
Availability:
Low stock
ULTRA STRENGTH
In comparison to standard bolts, our alloy's material characteristics enable much higher tensile strength. For the best fatigue strength, threads are rolled after thermal treatment. A high-quality coating can improve corrosion resistance, reduce friction, and improve overall performance.
EASY INSTALLATION
Installation manual is included with drawn diagrams to ease the installation process. Our head bolts are designed to retain cylinder seal even with today's extremely high-pressure turbo systems.
PREMIUM QUALITY
Black oxide finish protects from wear and tear. Hardened parallel washers allow for uniform load distribution and accurate torque readings.
INSTALL GUIDE
This guide covers installation of the XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ XP985 head bolt kit for the 1963–2001 Ford Small Block 289 and 302. Prefer a printable copy? Download the PDF manual.
Why upgrade your small block Ford head bolts
Sixty years on, almost no 289 or 302 is running the way it left Dearborn — and the head bolts have usually been reused through every rebuild along the way. Each reinstall of a stretched bolt means less clamp force than the engine was designed for. Add a stroker, a big cam, nitrous, or boost, and cylinder pressures climb past what tired hardware can hold. When the clamping force securing the gasket, head, and block is no longer sufficient, the head gasket lets go.
XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ head bolts are manufactured from our premium XOTIC 7200 steel alloy — far higher tensile strength than standard hardware — and backed by a lifetime warranty. Bolts are the right call when you want strong clamping with the convenience of pulling a head in the chassis without fighting stud clearance. For maximum clamping on a serious power build, see our 289/302 head stud kits: CP897 (12-point) and CP898 (hex, factory heads). Either way, the key is accurate preload: the tensile force generated when a fastener is tightened, creating clamp force in the joint. Everything in this guide is in service of achieving equal, accurate preload across all 20 bolts.
What's in the XP985 kit
- 20 × head bolts (XOTIC 7200 alloy)
- 20 × hardened parallel washers
- 1 × socket
- 1 × fastener assembly lubricant
Before you start: verify first
Confirm that part number XP985 is compatible with your application (1963–2001 Ford 289/302) before installing any components. Inspect all package contents for damage and clean as necessary to ensure accurate installation. Report any obvious defects or shipping damage to us before proceeding.
How to install head bolts on a Ford 289/302
- Clean the block threads. Clean the threads in the block prior to installing the bolts to ensure accurate fitment and precise torque readings. A dedicated 7/16"-14 thread chaser (CS314) makes this fast and protects the threads.
- Clean the washers and seats. Using a clean cloth, remove all oil from the washers and from the cylinder head surfaces where the washers sit. Clean, dry seating surfaces are essential for accurate preload.
- Set the gasket and head. Install the head gasket and cylinder head.
- Seat the washers — chamfer up. Place the washers on the cylinder head with the chamfered inner diameter facing upward, toward the bolt head. Inspect for any misalignment.
- Lubricate. Using the supplied fastener assembly lubricant, coat the threads of each head bolt and the underside of each bolt head.
- Hand-tighten. Thread the bolts in as tight as can be made by hand.
- Torque in sequence. Follow the torque stages below in the numbered sequence shown in the manual's torque sequence diagram, then repeat on the second bank.
Ford 289/302 head bolt torque specs
| Stage | Torque |
|---|---|
| 1 | 25 ft-lbs |
| 2 | 50 ft-lbs |
| 3 (final) | 80 ft-lbs |
A common mistake to avoid: when torquing a fastener, do not stop short of the recommended value — continue in one motion until the specified torque is achieved. If you accidentally stop short, loosen the fastener and re-torque. Stopping short and "topping up" produces unequal preload distribution across the bolts and risks joint failure.
Frequently asked questions
What are the torque specs for Ford 289/302 head bolts?
Three stages, in the numbered sequence: 25 ft-lbs, then 50 ft-lbs, then a final pass at 80 ft-lbs — with the supplied lubricant on the threads and under the bolt heads.
Which engines does the XP985 kit fit?
1963–2001 Ford Small Block 289 and 302. Verify your application before ordering.
Head bolts or head studs for a 289/302?
Bolts let you pull a head in the chassis without dealing with stud clearance — ideal for street builds. Studs deliver maximum clamping for serious power. If you're going the stud route, see the CP897 (12-point) or CP898 (hex, factory heads) guides linked above.
What size thread chaser do I need?
7/16"-14 — the CS314 chaser.
Need help?
For technical support, email support@xotic-performance.com. All XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ fasteners are covered by our limited lifetime warranty. Finished your install? Tag #XOTICPERFORMANCE on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
© 2026 XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. This installation guide is an original copyrighted work of XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. Reproduction, distribution, or use of this content in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Doc ref: 2025.10.21 (web edition 2026.08).
PACKAGE CONTENTS
VEHICLE FITMENTS
⚠️ PROP 65 WARNING
CALIFORNIA WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm -www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
