I don't care what the mechanics say, if it's my car I replace the head bolts!

I have had a bad experience not replacing them. Helped my brother-in-law do the head gasket on his little Ford Escort and on the very last head bolt, on the very last step of torqueing, PING! Head bolt broke off, level with the head gasket surface. That bolt was a [censored] to remove. Never again! It's worth the 20 bux or so for my time.

2002 Sportage 4dr 4x4 soon to undergo an Extreme Makeover!