Rebuilding my 1098 motor which has head bolts. 1275's have head studs. Can I convert over to studs but is there any advantage in doing so.

With the bolts, the head is real easy to get off with the carbies and extractors intact.

Studs are better

Those old 1098 head bolts are brittle these days and snap off easy. I would fit ARP studs & nuts, if you want something cheaper the Minispares competition stud kit works OK for road motors.
You can still get the studs out for head removal, lock 2 nuts together and undo.
(Edit) watch out if buying single studs, some sold here now are absolute rubbish. [edit] They go BANG! before 30 ft/lb reached.
If buying bolts you want Grade 8 unplated ones.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Not a lot of gains, unless you have a an engine pushing the performance limits. Studs can be made to a much higher quality than bolts when like are compared with like, so on highly stressed engines studs can be better. Twisting forces are also removed from the block when torquing down studs.

Bolts as you say are great for convenience, and good bolts have done the job for 56 years so you can happily stick with them if you choose to.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

My understanding is that head bolts are a one shot deal, once torqued down they have had it as they will have stretched. Where as studs can be reused more often.

Maelgwn

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Maelgwn No Mini Yet

head "Bolts" OFTEN just break
i try not to use Bolts
i try to use Quality "Studs" where ever possible
the dimpled ones or the pointy (late) ones are the better of the factory ones (IMO)
otherwise as the good Doc says, ARP if you can afford it

it`s not a matter of performance to me, it`s a matter of simple reliability RE: read my first line

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

When changing to studs always check that there is enough thread to pull the head down otherwise you may snap the stud when tightening up the nut.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

Thanks guys, ARP it is.

I have in stock new old stock, head studs with the dimple on top

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

Getm from John, you don't need the expense of Arp for a road engine.