ARP 155-3601 High Performance Hex Head Bolt Kit Ford Big Block FE 390 427 428 V8

Vehicle Fitment

• Semi-Universal - Fits any vehicle or engine build equipped with a Ford FE Series Big Block V8 (390, 406, 427, 428 ci) using factory cast iron cylinder heads, Edelbrock Performer RPM heads (part numbers 60069/60079), Trick Flow, or Pro Maxx FE cylinder heads. Fitment is engine and head specific, not vehicle specific. Confirm your head bolt thread diameter and engagement depth before ordering.

Fitment Notes

• Compatible with all Ford FE family engine displacements sharing the standard FE head bolt pattern: 352 ci (1958-1966), 360 ci (1968-1971), 390 ci (1961-1976), 406 ci (1962-1963), 410 ci (1966), 427 ci (1963-1969, including Side-Oiler and tunnel-port variants), and 428 ci (1966-1970, including Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet variants).
• Compatible with factory OEM cast iron cylinder heads and the following aftermarket aluminum heads: Edelbrock Performer RPM (60069, 60079), Trick Flow FE, and Pro Maxx FE heads. Not confirmed for all third-party heads - verify head bolt specifications against this kit before ordering for other brands.
• This is a bolt kit (not a stud kit). Bolts are recommended on many street-driven vehicles where the presence of master cylinders, brake boosters, or other firewall-side components would prevent cylinder head removal with studs installed. For applications where heads are frequently removed (e.g., race engines requiring regular service), ARP recommends studs; for the FE stud kit, see ARP 155-4001.
• The wide-area flanged hex head design is specifically engineered to eliminate the need to remove valvetrain components (pushrods, rockers) to access and re-torque the head bolts after initial heat cycling.
• Lubricate all bolt threads, the underside of the bolt head, and both faces of the washers with ARP Ultra-Torque fastener assembly lubricant before installation. Do not use engine oil or other lubricants, as this produces inconsistent and inaccurate clamp load.
• Re-torque cylinder heads after the first heat cycle, as head gasket compression will reduce clamp load on initial run-in.

Features

• Manufactured from 8740 chromoly steel and rated at 180,000 psi tensile strength - approximately 15% stronger than Grade 8 fasteners and significantly stronger than OEM-spec Ford FE head bolts.
• Wide-area flanged hex head design allows re-torquing of cylinder heads without removing pushrods, rocker arms, or other valvetrain components - a major practical advantage on the FE engine where close-clearance valve cover and rocker arm geometry can make head bolt access difficult with standard tooling.
• Threads are precision-rolled after heat treatment to MIL-S-8879 specifications, producing superior thread fatigue resistance versus cut threads - critical for engines subject to repeated heat cycling and high-load use.
• Black oxide finish provides corrosion resistance during storage and use inside the engine.
• Includes hardened parallel-ground washers for all 30 bolt positions to ensure uniform load distribution across the head boss surface and accurate torque readings.
• Complete kit covers both cylinder heads - 30 bolts and 30 washers total (15 per head).
• ARP limited lifetime warranty against material and workmanship defects for the original purchaser.
• Designed, manufactured, and tested in the USA by ARP (Automotive Racing Products) in Ventura, California.

Specifications

• Part Number: 155-3601
• Application: Ford FE Big Block V8 (352-428 ci) with factory, Edelbrock RPM, Trick Flow, or Pro Maxx FE cylinder heads
• Fastener Type: Cylinder Head Bolt Kit
• Material: 8740 Chromoly Steel
• Tensile Strength: 180,000 psi
• Head Style: Hex (Wide-Area Flanged)
• Finish: Black Oxide
• Quantity: 30 bolts + 30 hardened parallel-ground washers (complete set, both cylinder heads)
• Recommended Torque: 95 ft-lbs (engine oil) / 105 ft-lbs (ARP Ultra-Torque lubricant)
• Package Weight: 4.75-4.85 lbs
• Package Dimensions: 8.5 in L x 4.0 in W x 2.5 in H
• UPC: 672036004255
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Included Components

• 30x 8740 Chromoly Hex-Head Cylinder Head Bolts (15 per cylinder head)
• 30x Hardened Parallel-Ground Washers

Product Description

The ARP 155-3601 is a High Performance Series hex-head cylinder head bolt kit engineered for Ford FE Big Block V8 engines spanning the 352-428 ci family, including all major displacement variants produced from 1958 through 1976: the 390 GT and Police Interceptor, 406, 427 FE (including Side-Oiler and tunnel-port configurations), and 428 (including the Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet). This kit covers both cylinder heads completely with 30 bolts and 30 hardened parallel-ground washers, replacing the entire set of factory head bolts in a single purchase.

The bolts are manufactured from 8740 chromoly steel - the same premium alloy used throughout ARP's High Performance Series - and heat-treated to 180,000 psi tensile strength, which exceeds the factory FE head bolt specification by a substantial margin and delivers approximately 15% more clamping force than Grade 8 hardware. The wide-area flanged hex head design is a practical engineering choice for the FE engine specifically: it eliminates the need to remove pushrods, rocker arms, or other valvetrain components to access the head bolts for re-torquing after initial heat cycling - a process that is essential to maintaining proper head gasket sealing as the gasket compresses under its first heat load.

The 155-3601 bolt kit is compatible with factory cast iron heads as well as popular aftermarket aluminum castings including Edelbrock Performer RPM (60069/60079), Trick Flow FE, and Pro Maxx FE heads. For race or competition applications where cylinder heads are frequently removed and reinstalled, ARP recommends their FE head stud kit instead, as studs provide more consistent torque readings and better withstand repeated assembly cycles. However, on street-driven vehicles where firewall-mounted components would prevent head removal with studs installed, bolt kits like the 155-3601 are the correct choice. Confirmed by Summit Racing, JEGS, Black Ops Auto Works, Winners Circle, and multiple authorized ARP retailers. Backed by ARP's limited lifetime warranty.