Block Prep
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Paved road in OK
Block Prep Is it just me or does it take a long time to clean the block and head bolt holes before installing new heads. I spent probably an hour cleaning each side of the block (removing old gasket) and another hour each side cleaning the bolt holes out, Im glad I cleaned them out, sure were full of crap! Thats all.
It takes a lot less time if you have it tanked. Always good practice to chase the head bolt holes to be sure they're clean, the thread dope on the stock bolts really gums up the threads. Don't use a regular tap on them though, you will cut away some of the metal and weaken the block...
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 82
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by CharlieLed
It takes a lot less time if you have it tanked. Always good practice to chase the head bolt holes to be sure they're clean, the thread dope on the stock bolts really gums up the threads. Don't use a regular tap on them though, you will cut away some of the metal and weaken the block...
What kind of tap would you use then?
The "tap" is really a thread chaser or thread "roller". Instead of having sharp cutting edges like a conventional tap, it has smoother edges that gently pushes (or rolls) the aluminum threads into shape. These tools are part of the TimeSert kits and the Kent-Moore thread kits (made by TimeSert for K-M). You may also be able to find them from other tool manufacturers...you'll need an M11 x 2.0 size for the head bolts.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by CharlieLed
The "tap" is really a thread chaser or thread "roller". Instead of having sharp cutting edges like a conventional tap, it has smoother edges that gently pushes (or rolls) the aluminum threads into shape. These tools are part of the TimeSert kits and the Kent-Moore thread kits (made by TimeSert for K-M). You may also be able to find them from other tool manufacturers...you'll need an M11 x 2.0 size for the head bolts.
Thanks
9 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2003
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Originally Posted by CharlieLed
The "tap" is really a thread chaser or thread "roller". Instead of having sharp cutting edges like a conventional tap, it has smoother edges that gently pushes (or rolls) the aluminum threads into shape. These tools are part of the TimeSert kits and the Kent-Moore thread kits (made by TimeSert for K-M). You may also be able to find them from other tool manufacturers...you'll need an M11 x 2.0 size for the head bolts.
Really all you need to do is take a old head bolt (short one and long one) and cut a groove on each side of each one that kinda goes in a S shape up the bolt threads. Then run it in with a impact about 2 or 3 times. After that there is nothing left in the groove of the bolt that you cut out. Works really nicely and it is cheaper.
