The word from our esteemed expert on things VW, Boston Bob, and several other engine experts besides, is DO NOT REUSE your old bolts! And, do not use "regular" 2.1 bolts, either. Unless you are trying to create a grenade on purpose.

  The much-discussed, and generally-agreed weak point for 2.1 engines in general, and rods in particular, is the cap bolts. Replacing with 1.9 type bolts should be considered a minimum fix, with the best choice being diesel rod bolts. The torque recomendations for those choices I am not remembering right off the top of my head, but I know that the references are readily available. Somebody else who is reading along can probably help out here....

Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
  1990 2.1.

Do others always replace them?

And is it 33 ft/lb, or 33 ft/lb plus 1.2 turn?

Thanks,

Jim