Clean block threads for the heads - tap extension???
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Clean block threads for the heads - tap extension??? Hey guys,
I need to clean out the threads on my block for my heads, and the threads are way down there... Has anyone found or made (an extension) to get a tap all the way to the bottom threads?
I have the ARP bolts and they are very unforgiving on any trash.
Any help appreciated!
I need to clean out the threads on my block for my heads, and the threads are way down there... Has anyone found or made (an extension) to get a tap all the way to the bottom threads?
I have the ARP bolts and they are very unforgiving on any trash.
Any help appreciated!
Take an old head bolt and cut the threads off on one side. Then you can use it to pull trash out.
Also, take a clean lint free rag or (gasp a paper towel) and roll it tightly to get into the threads. It'll take a while, but do that to get out any coolant or oil.
Once that's done, you can take the old bolt and remove debris.
Then use air to blow out any remaining crap.
Also, take a clean lint free rag or (gasp a paper towel) and roll it tightly to get into the threads. It'll take a while, but do that to get out any coolant or oil.
Once that's done, you can take the old bolt and remove debris.
Then use air to blow out any remaining crap.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Take an old head bolt and cut the threads off on one side. Then you can use it to pull trash out.
Also, take a clean lint free rag or (gasp a paper towel) and roll it tightly to get into the threads. It'll take a while, but do that to get out any coolant or oil.
Once that's done, you can take the old bolt and remove debris.
Then use air to blow out any remaining crap.
Also, take a clean lint free rag or (gasp a paper towel) and roll it tightly to get into the threads. It'll take a while, but do that to get out any coolant or oil.
Once that's done, you can take the old bolt and remove debris.
Then use air to blow out any remaining crap.
Wouldn't have thought of taking the threads off one side of a old bolt to clean it... But I can see how that would work. Sounds like you've done this before.
Yes. Talk about a horrible thing.
Btw, I'm about to do it again. I'm draining all of the coolant out while the engine is on the stand. Then I'm blowing compressed air through it. I'm going to make it much easier this go around lol.
Btw, I'm about to do it again. I'm draining all of the coolant out while the engine is on the stand. Then I'm blowing compressed air through it. I'm going to make it much easier this go around lol.
Here you go: (Big bolts) http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-912-0011
(Little bolts): http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-912-0001
(Little bolts): http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-912-0001
Trending Topics
Don't use a tap, don't cut a bolt and use it as a chase. BUY THE CORRECT TOOL!
Is your block valued enough to to you to spend $40 on the ARP tool? No risk of damaging the threads or messing the block up. The tool is designed to clean the threads and it works awesome. It's worth every penny and does have good re-sale value.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TOTALLY back up what they said about not using a tap. There are undersized taps as well as chaser taps to do this very thing just whatever you do
Do some pre-soak with a good penetrating oil
Dont force it... if it feels wrong it probably is!
Before you buy the ARP tool try asking your local hardware store for chaser taps/undersize taps. Most of the time places that supply to machine shops will have exactly what you are looking for.
Take your time! and make sure you clean REALLY good after.
Do some pre-soak with a good penetrating oil
Dont force it... if it feels wrong it probably is!
Before you buy the ARP tool try asking your local hardware store for chaser taps/undersize taps. Most of the time places that supply to machine shops will have exactly what you are looking for.
Take your time! and make sure you clean REALLY good after.
Listen to this guy ^^
Don't use a tap, don't cut a bolt and use it as a chase. BUY THE CORRECT TOOL!
Is your block valued enough to to you to spend $40 on the ARP tool? No risk of damaging the threads or messing the block up. The tool is designed to clean the threads and it works awesome. It's worth every penny and does have good re-sale value.
Don't use a tap, don't cut a bolt and use it as a chase. BUY THE CORRECT TOOL!
Is your block valued enough to to you to spend $40 on the ARP tool? No risk of damaging the threads or messing the block up. The tool is designed to clean the threads and it works awesome. It's worth every penny and does have good re-sale value.
exactly i've done this method multiple times. I take an old head bolt and cut slits into it with an angle grinder so it looks like a tap and then simply thread it into all the holes and blow out with air. never had an issue.
Also the ARP tool is not simply a bolt with the sides ground down. It is slightly over sized and shaped to actually clean the threads. I have used both methods and even after several passes with the bolt, the studs would not go right in. (I was trying to be cheap and not purchase the 8mm chaser). In the end I did buy it. I used studs on my engine and after using the ARP chaser the studs went right in with no force or tools. I ended up selling both tools and only $10-$15 out of my pocket. It's a no brainer in my opinion. Does the OP want to do it right? Or good enough? Engines are too expensive to cut corners to easy solutions.
Last edited by badazz81z28; Aug 14, 2013 at 02:45 PM.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 175
Likes: 4
From: PHX, AZ
Gun cleaning rod with a wire/plastic brush. Worked great for me. 12ga is a little too much, but the .40 or .45 should work great. I used one close to the size of a .45. Stick it down and brush all the crap out and then use air to blow it out when completed.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
The thread chasers are definitely worth it, Ive used mine several times. You can find them a bit cheaper. Heres where I got mine
https://www.mdrtuning.com/ls1-ls6-he...leaning-chaser
https://www.mdrtuning.com/ls1-ls6-he...leaning-chaser
I def would NOT do this on an Aluminum block!
I have both ARP tools. The one for the small bolt holes also works with many other bolt holes on the engine as well. water pump, valley cover, front cover, rear cover, etc. Well worth the money.
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
As much as I hate to say it, you really need to use the ARP tool. I ground down an old head bolt and made a perfect chaser, ran it through each hole twice, then when I tried to put one of the new bolts in it was impossible to go past 1 or 2 threads by hand.
I mic'd up the bolts and saw the diameter of the threads on the ARP bolts were .005 wider then the stock bolt. So I gave in and ordered the ARP tool and that was .004 bigger then the ARP bolts (.009 bigger then the "chaser" made out of an old head bolt).
Also FWIW I still had to run that ARP tool through each hole at least twice before I stopped getting thread cheese out of them...
I mic'd up the bolts and saw the diameter of the threads on the ARP bolts were .005 wider then the stock bolt. So I gave in and ordered the ARP tool and that was .004 bigger then the ARP bolts (.009 bigger then the "chaser" made out of an old head bolt).
Also FWIW I still had to run that ARP tool through each hole at least twice before I stopped getting thread cheese out of them...