00Vette04GTO

Hey guys,

I need to clean out the threads on my block for my heads, and the threads are way down there... Has anyone found or made (an extension) to get a tap all the way to the bottom threads?

I have the ARP bolts and they are very unforgiving on any trash.

Any help appreciated!

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Take an old head bolt and cut the threads off on one side. Then you can use it to pull trash out.

Also, take a clean lint free rag or (gasp a paper towel) and roll it tightly to get into the threads. It'll take a while, but do that to get out any coolant or oil.

Once that's done, you can take the old bolt and remove debris.

Then use air to blow out any remaining crap.

00Vette04GTO

Thank ya, sir!

Wouldn't have thought of taking the threads off one side of a old bolt to clean it... But I can see how that would work. Sounds like you've done this before.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Yes. Talk about a horrible thing.

Btw, I'm about to do it again. I'm draining all of the coolant out while the engine is on the stand. Then I'm blowing compressed air through it. I'm going to make it much easier this go around lol.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

ARP does make a thread chaser, but it is expensive. Don't use a tap whatever you do you will remove aluminum if you do.

SOHCNightmare

^^^ work patiently. These threads are very soft (as I'm sure you know)

Ronny_02_WS6

iTrader: (6)

Here you go: (Big bolts) http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-912-0011

(Little bolts): http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-912-0001

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

Listen to this guy ^^

Don't use a tap, don't cut a bolt and use it as a chase. BUY THE CORRECT TOOL!

Is your block valued enough to to you to spend $40 on the ARP tool? No risk of damaging the threads or messing the block up. The tool is designed to clean the threads and it works awesome. It's worth every penny and does have good re-sale value.

SShep71

iTrader: (5)

TOTALLY back up what they said about not using a tap. There are undersized taps as well as chaser taps to do this very thing just whatever you do

Do some pre-soak with a good penetrating oil

Dont force it... if it feels wrong it probably is!

Before you buy the ARP tool try asking your local hardware store for chaser taps/undersize taps. Most of the time places that supply to machine shops will have exactly what you are looking for.

Take your time! and make sure you clean REALLY good after.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Why couldn't you cut the bolt and use it? It looks EXACTLY like the ARP tool. Sometimes people spend money to spend money.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

exactly i've done this method multiple times. I take an old head bolt and cut slits into it with an angle grinder so it looks like a tap and then simply thread it into all the holes and blow out with air. never had an issue.

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

Because it's not the same. The bolt for one..you have to ensure you cut it right and ensure there are no burs or jacked up threads created by the cutting process.

Also the ARP tool is not simply a bolt with the sides ground down. It is slightly over sized and shaped to actually clean the threads. I have used both methods and even after several passes with the bolt, the studs would not go right in. (I was trying to be cheap and not purchase the 8mm chaser). In the end I did buy it. I used studs on my engine and after using the ARP chaser the studs went right in with no force or tools. I ended up selling both tools and only $10-$15 out of my pocket. It's a no brainer in my opinion. Does the OP want to do it right? Or good enough? Engines are too expensive to cut corners to easy solutions.

Treyvs

Gun cleaning rod with a wire/plastic brush. Worked great for me. 12ga is a little too much, but the .40 or .45 should work great. I used one close to the size of a .45. Stick it down and brush all the crap out and then use air to blow it out when completed.

schnellttz06

The thread chasers are definitely worth it, Ive used mine several times. You can find them a bit cheaper. Heres where I got mine

https://www.mdrtuning.com/ls1-ls6-he...leaning-chaser

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

I def would NOT do this on an Aluminum block!

BrntWS6

iTrader: (7)

I taped a straw to my wet vac to get all the coolant out.

Treyvs

You are correct. I failed to mention that this was used on a 5.3L Iron block. Worked like a charm.

SOHCNightmare

I've used cut bolts to clean aluminum threads before. So long as you're careful, it'll do just fine.

WS.SIX

iTrader: (3)

I have both ARP tools. The one for the small bolt holes also works with many other bolt holes on the engine as well. water pump, valley cover, front cover, rear cover, etc. Well worth the money.

Z28M6TT

As much as I hate to say it, you really need to use the ARP tool. I ground down an old head bolt and made a perfect chaser, ran it through each hole twice, then when I tried to put one of the new bolts in it was impossible to go past 1 or 2 threads by hand.

I mic'd up the bolts and saw the diameter of the threads on the ARP bolts were .005 wider then the stock bolt. So I gave in and ordered the ARP tool and that was .004 bigger then the ARP bolts (.009 bigger then the "chaser" made out of an old head bolt).

Also FWIW I still had to run that ARP tool through each hole at least twice before I stopped getting thread cheese out of them...