I am buttoning up the top end rebuild on my '55 292. My question is: Is it absolutely necessary to use original bolts like Mr. Mummert sells or are run of the mill grade 5 or 8 bolts sufficient? Mummerts bolts at $95 + shipping sure seems high. If that's what I absolutely must have then I will buy them but just the thought of putting someone else's kids though college.

And as far as grade, I am stumped there too. The originals have four slash marks on the heads. What grade are those? Seen lots of 5's and 8's but never 4 marks. If the consensus is regular store bought bolts are fine, then what grade? Is the torque specs the same no matter what grade? 55 then 65 then 75.

As an additional FYI, all my long top bolts are 4.0625" and the shorter bottom bolts are 2.125". The 2.125" bolts that go on the bottom have a shoulder on them if that makes a difference too.

Sorry for so many rambling questions, but I want to get this lump buttoned up soon.

My wife said she would divorce me if I bought another car. It scared me so bad I only bought 3 last month!