Head Bolt Sealant confusion
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 15
From: Box Elder, SD
Head Bolt Sealant confusion About to drop a set of Tony Mamo AFR heads onto my LM7. I have the correct ARP head bolts and lube, but I am confused about sealant. I have searched the forums for hours, and come up with mix results if I need sealant or if the holes are blind and dont require it. The holes look blind to me. No big deal if they require sealant, but that goes against ARP instructions to lube the threads with ultra lube. If I do use sealant, how will that affect the torque values?
Just did mine with arp's.
I was also pleased to read that the torque specs for them was a straight 75lb. Ft. That angle nonsense for the mains drove me nuts.
Only the rocker bolts for the intake valve need to be sealed, as they do go into the port.
I was also pleased to read that the torque specs for them was a straight 75lb. Ft. That angle nonsense for the mains drove me nuts.
Only the rocker bolts for the intake valve need to be sealed, as they do go into the port.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 970
No sealant is needed on head bolts; the holes are blind.
However, the Teflon sealer is also an EXCELLENT lube. Such a lube is desired because it takes the friction of the threads - a TOTALLY UNPREDICATBLE variable - OUT OF the equation. Whether it's grease, "ARP lube", oil, sealant, or WHATEVER, as long as it lets the RAMP (lever: turn the bolts x.xx turns, you get yy.yy pounds of clamping force) function of the threads work INDEPENDENT OF friction, it's all the same. No doubt ARP wants to take acoupla extra coins for their lube, and no doubt it's completely and reliably effective, but once the ACTUAL PRINCIPLE involved is understood and applied, it's obvious that it's just … a ploy to empty your wallet in their favor a little bit more.
As Fah Cue says, use the Teflon sealer on the rocker studs if your heads have been TOUCHED with a grinder. Stock, probably not necessary, but it CAN'T POSSIBLY hurt. You just never know.
However, the Teflon sealer is also an EXCELLENT lube. Such a lube is desired because it takes the friction of the threads - a TOTALLY UNPREDICATBLE variable - OUT OF the equation. Whether it's grease, "ARP lube", oil, sealant, or WHATEVER, as long as it lets the RAMP (lever: turn the bolts x.xx turns, you get yy.yy pounds of clamping force) function of the threads work INDEPENDENT OF friction, it's all the same. No doubt ARP wants to take acoupla extra coins for their lube, and no doubt it's completely and reliably effective, but once the ACTUAL PRINCIPLE involved is understood and applied, it's obvious that it's just … a ploy to empty your wallet in their favor a little bit more.
As Fah Cue says, use the Teflon sealer on the rocker studs if your heads have been TOUCHED with a grinder. Stock, probably not necessary, but it CAN'T POSSIBLY hurt. You just never know.
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When using studs, make sure you have the textured washers. If not, use some course sand paper and create the texture. I put a dot of paint on the washers so I could make sure they didn't spin.
Also, no lube on the bottom side of the washer.
Also, no lube on the bottom side of the washer.
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