AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

Getting ready to put my new motor together and Im debating weather to switch up to head studs over head bolts. Are studs that much better and can you actually pull a head with the engine in the car and our extra huge cowl with the studs?

TXsilverado

iTrader: (18)

if your na/nitrous bolts are fine. if you're running boost step up to the studs.

tim99ws6

iTrader: (31)

Cylinder pressure is cylinder pressure. Head studs always win over head bolts IMO

mrdragster1970

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Studs have always given a better, more consistent clamping force!!

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AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

Alrighty then gonna order up some studs to replace my bolts and hope I dont blow a gasket anytime soon.

Tony Shepherd

iTrader: (4)

Hit me up before you install them. I know the trick to keep them from leaking.

krissoto

iTrader: (3)

WTH, no secrets necessary here. JK, please share the knowledge tho

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

Lol Its a LT1
Will do Tony!!!!!!!

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Ran ARP bolts for years, no issues, on the 383, just goop them and go. Never ran studs as of the PITA to try to get the heads on and off all the time if the need be it. Just did not want to deal with it.

JL ws-6

iTrader: (50)

I wouldn't waste the money on bolts. Just put studs in it and call it a day. At least you know that they won't be something that you wonder about... if you start having head gasket issues.

samckitt

iTrader: (5)

If it is going in an aluminum block, I would definitely go studs, that lessens the chance of stripping out the threads in the block.

JL ws-6

iTrader: (50)

And when you pull the heads you don't have to clean the holes out, and worry about water/coolant being in the holes... and then you putting the bolt in there, and unknowingly cracking the block (liquid won't compress.. and the force will crack a block if you don't get the holes 100% dry. Seen that happen before)

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

And that was the only reason I would go to studs, just to avoid even the possibities if doing that IF the heads needed to come off multiple times.

JL ws-6

iTrader: (50)

The clamping ability of the stud, is also alot better and they are reusable, quite a few times more then a bolt is... the cost vs return just in the ability to reuse them over bolts makes it worth while.

Removing the heads on any small block in an ls engine bay is not a problem with studs.

mrdragster1970

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Excellent tip on hydraulicing the hole and cracking, I should have mentioned that.
That is something I always worry about and warn people with bolts.


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AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

I have ARP bolts on my 355 I was going to just reuse but I ordered studs for the new 383 anyways.
This is a iron LT1 engine. Most of the head bolt holes go into the water jackets except the top 4 so cracking the block do to water being in there really isnt an issue.

mrdragster1970

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It's not the water that causes a crack in the block, it's guys that use too much oil or moly.


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AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

Got it. I use ARP Torque assm lube on the treads that dont hit water and tread sealant on the ones that go into water.