I just got my set or ARP bolts from Thunder and am getting ready to reassemble everything. I've read the threads on here about tapping the lower head bolts to make sure that they don't bottom out and leak coolant. The set of bolts I got came with washers for each bolt. When I measure the ARP bolts with the washers vs. the TQ to yields that came out the ARP's end up being a hair shorter. Did your ARP kit come with washers, and is this something they have started to do to resolve this issue? I don't feel like buying a tap and risking damage to the threads or the tap breaking in the block if its not necessary. The heads I'm installing are Abosule Speed stg 2 LS1 heads. I'm not sure if they are milled or not. Any advice is appreciated.

 

All ARP bolt kits that I have seen come with washers. They are flat on one side and beveled or tapered on the inside edge of the other side. If in doubt, check it.

 

Mine also came with washers.

 

Were they shorter than the TQ to yields? Any sealing problems?

 

The new bolts were shorter than the old, used TTY bolts? Yes. The old ones are stretched (yielded).

A tap is only a few bucks at your local hardware store. It's probably in your best interest to chase the threads so that you can be sure that you're getting the proper torque on your nice new (probably pretty expensive) heads.

 

Try getting one of these taps. NAPA can't get them. Fastenal can't get them. Very frustrating trying to find these buggers.

 

I recieved my AS 5.3 heads a couple weeks ago and used arp bolts as well. No problems with bottoming out, but I made absolutly sure the threads were very clean and nothing in the bottom of the bolt holes. I just ground off the thread on two side of an old bolt. Put a little moly lube on it and did one more chasing of the threads. I also used it on both sides of the washer, on the threads of the arp bolt, and the top of the bolt where the washer is. Fired the car up tonight and so far so good. Only took it up to five grand, so more rpm should tell the tale.

 

I just put ARP bolts on my motor as well, and so far there are no problems what so ever with them.

 

Tap can be had from Western Tap, but it is alot of $$$. Has to be custom made. Could not find a M11 x 2.0 tap only anywhere else. Time sert has a kit with the tap in it, but at $450 for the kit, I passed. Ended up grinding an old bolt like it was sugggested in this thread to clean up the block.