slowlsx

iTrader: (28)

has anyone swapped from head bolts to headstuds with the heads still on the motor? basically remove one head bolt at a time and swap it for a head stud?

looking to do the swap on my 408 nova but didnt know if the heads being removed is necessary

asubennett

iTrader: (6)

You could but I would drain the block first to be sure no water went into a stud hole before you torque new stud down.

SELLSZ06

iTrader: (12)

Risky, i wouldn't

SethU

I'm not sure if it's universally true, but all my head bolt holes are blind on my 1999 5.3L.

Good thinking in either case. Not sure I would have thought of that without learning the hard way a time or two.

stevieturbo

I'm sure this has been asked and done many times over the last couple of decades ?

ddnspider

iTrader: (26)

True statement. It's been asked a bunch in the internal section too. General consensus is yes you can but lose coolant and you want want to go back through a final torque pass after going through 1 by 1 in the torque sequence swapping bolts for studs.

dburt86

iTrader: (2)

I had a friend do it on a turbo bmw with no issues and those have hg's that are prone to fail

BIGDRAGON

iTrader: (9)

I wouldn't take a chance the risk is higher than the rewards.

stevieturbo

There is almost zero risk. ( unless you do something stupid like attempt it with the engine running )

ddnspider

iTrader: (26)

Please let someone try that and post a video.

SethU

Hahaha That would be funny... especially since you have to remove the rockers. Just picturing the calamity that would be has got me sitting chuckling to my self. Push rods diving out of the engine, oil splattering everywhere... that would be a priceless video to see.