samh_08

Im doing a head/cam/pump/timing chain/pan install and I was wondering if I
1) should use the blue or red loctite
2) use anything on the threads at all
3) anything on stock replacement head bolts?

Let me know, thanks.

conan

iTrader: (5)

I used a little blue locktite on the cam gear bolts, other than that put them in dry if oem or use arp moly lube if your using any arp hardwhere.

twizted_creations

iTrader: (4)

Stock replacement head bolts should have Locktite of some sort on it.. Looks like orange clay or something on the threads.

Re used bolts in the valve train SHOULD be loctited, I like red, but thats just me.... Any medium loctite should do the trick.

samh_08

They will be new stock replacement head bolts by the way.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Install head bolts as delivered from GM, i.e., don't add anything to them.

I use red loctite on the cam gear, blue on the cam retainer plate.

Hi-Po

iTrader: (4)

At Caterpillar we only use Red loctite when we really dont ever want to remove the bolts ever again. Dont know if Caterpillar loctite is stronger, but I have had to heat bolt heads up to free/ loosen the loctite to remove.

I say Blue loctite is perfect.

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

Nothing on the head bolts. Red loctite on everything, thats how i do it and I still get them off later.

Hi-Po

iTrader: (4)

I figured you wouldnt be putting as much on as we do at Caterpillar. Slightly different bolts and applications used on that stuff!

98Camarod

iTrader: (43)

I used which ever is the high temp loctite

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

Ok...Old thread...I'm having loctite remorse....

When I swapped my cam out the GM bolts were clean, no locking compound!

Well I ended up putting it back together with blue thread locker because the back said for 6 to 12mm fastensers and the Red said for larger...


Now I'm concerned if I made a mistake....

conan

iTrader: (5)

What are you concerned about ? Should have used red instead of blue ? Or using locktite all together ?

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

Maybe I should have used High Temp Red.

conan

iTrader: (5)

Blue will do just fine, nothing to worry about.

ls1curt

iTrader: (31)

I would not use blue. I used it on my cam bolts and when I pulled it apart, 2 bolts were half way out. I have red on them now.

Sales1@Texas-speed

Ive never had any issues when using the blue. Of course you will find people with different opinions and personal preferences.

soundengineer

iTrader: (16)

Red on Rotating Parts, Blue on everything else
None on Head Bolts or Crank Bolt(both are heavy torque/stretch bolts)

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

Back to this thread...I'm pulling the pulley this weekend for an UDP...should I go a little further and pull the cam gear bolts out for installation of High Temp Red??

Russ K

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't worry about, as it's been together for almost a year. And the GM service manual doesn't spec any loctite. Back when I apprenticed 37 years ago, I was taught to just clean cam gear bolts and install them dry. Did a lot of timing chains/gears back then as the OEM plastic/aluminum cam gears failing at 50,000 miles was common. And never did a car come back due to the cam bolts backing out.

And you would likely be getting a cam sensor code if your cam bolts were backing out.

Now, I always use a drop of red loctite on each cam bolt. But blue loctite is still quite strong. You did torque them to 26 lbs ft, right?

Russ Kemp

mchicia1

iTrader: (5)

Your loctite came off because you didn't clean the oil out of the holes and off the bolts, so it came right off as soon as you put the bolts back in.

I usually do blue on retainer and cam sprocket bolts. But I have used red before if that was all I had. The key is cleaning the bolts off. I use a soft wire wheel and break cleaner.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

No need for red loctite on anything. My rule of thumb is blue loctite on anything going into steel, and anti-sieze for anything going into aluminum. I don't loctite stuff going into aluminum bc it can gall the threads up and I'm not a machine shop with an assortment of blind hole taps. Hasn't failed me yet.