Weird Problem with ARP studs
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Meffa, MA
Weird Problem with ARP studs OK, so I noticed I was leaking coolant, let it run and found out it was from the front bottom stud on the drivers side. I went to re-torque it and it wasn't even finger tight. I mean VERY loose. Now I have a hard time believing I forgot to tighten that one, but I won't rule it out. Just wondering if anyone else ever had a head stud loosen on them? I can't check the rest without pulling off the headers, but they have about the same thread above the nut as the one I just tightened, and are not leaking. Very weird, I just hope nothing was harmed, it is running fine. Scary thing is, if I did indeed forget to tighten it, its been about 1000 miles since then....
-Dave
-Dave
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs When you torque'd them did you go over them again?I ussually torque them once.Wait about 5 minutes and go over them again and again to make sure <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Meffa, MA
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Slowhawk:
<strong>When you torque'd them did you go over them again?I ussually torque them once.Wait about 5 minutes and go over them again and again to make sure <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I torqued each 3 times, torque, loosen, torque, loosen, torque. The only thing I didn't do was hit them that one last time. I should have, and I would know for sure that way that I didn't miss it, but still hard for me to believe that I did. At first I thought it was a bad Cometic gasket, so thank god it was just one bolt.... sure hope I didn't hurt the engine, but hopefully if any got in there it would just vaporize.
-Dave
<strong>When you torque'd them did you go over them again?I ussually torque them once.Wait about 5 minutes and go over them again and again to make sure <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I torqued each 3 times, torque, loosen, torque, loosen, torque. The only thing I didn't do was hit them that one last time. I should have, and I would know for sure that way that I didn't miss it, but still hard for me to believe that I did. At first I thought it was a bad Cometic gasket, so thank god it was just one bolt.... sure hope I didn't hurt the engine, but hopefully if any got in there it would just vaporize.
-Dave
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs I'm running the same setup ARP/Cometics..I did notice after first round tightening to 70 ft/lbs,that after I went over them again at 70 ft/lbs,that I got another 1/2 turn out of each one <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> So I went over them again and again to make sure.
We are doing a Head/Cam install tomorrow ussing ARP/Cometic so I'll test it again and see if there is the same problem and let you know.
You could also pull the valve covers and check the ones you can reach in there.
We are doing a Head/Cam install tomorrow ussing ARP/Cometic so I'll test it again and see if there is the same problem and let you know.
You could also pull the valve covers and check the ones you can reach in there.
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs You missed it, that happens!
Believe me, once they are tight you will be fine. Always remember to retorque them after you do the first run on the engine just to make sure they seated properly.
I use a very accurate Snap On torque wrench, good parts are always helpfull.
Bret
Believe me, once they are tight you will be fine. Always remember to retorque them after you do the first run on the engine just to make sure they seated properly.
I use a very accurate Snap On torque wrench, good parts are always helpfull.
Bret
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Meffa, MA
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs I followed ARP's "triple torque" recommendation, and did 65lbs (they said deduct 5 for aluminum block). Just can't believe I missed it. Only thing I can think is I missed the last tightening of the triple torque process, got distracted or something. Glad it was a bottom bolt so the coolant didn't have anywhere bad to go. I'm planning to pull the covers in the spring when it warms up and double check all my rockers, and I'll do all the bolts again.
Oh well...
-Dave
Oh well...
-Dave
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 2
From: new england
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs Keep in mind when you loosen nuts to retorque, the studs can turn out when loosening, meaning they are not at 5 ft. lbs anymore. I think this is what you mean because if you did torque studs in stages like at least 3, than it should not have been loose when checxking it. If you dont go up incrementally when torquing you could warp head!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Meffa, MA
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by LS1derfull:
<strong>Keep in mind when you loosen nuts to retorque, the studs can turn out when loosening, meaning they are not at 5 ft. lbs anymore. I think this is what you mean because if you did torque studs in stages like at least 3, than it should not have been loose when checxking it. If you dont go up incrementally when torquing you could warp head!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I went in order, but this one will now be out of sequence. Not much I can do about it. I checked the stud before tightening this time, and it was still in there good. It will have to wait until spring to be re-torqued.
-Dave
<strong>Keep in mind when you loosen nuts to retorque, the studs can turn out when loosening, meaning they are not at 5 ft. lbs anymore. I think this is what you mean because if you did torque studs in stages like at least 3, than it should not have been loose when checxking it. If you dont go up incrementally when torquing you could warp head!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I went in order, but this one will now be out of sequence. Not much I can do about it. I checked the stud before tightening this time, and it was still in there good. It will have to wait until spring to be re-torqued.
-Dave
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
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
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 2
From: new england
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs Most gaskets once they leak, will not seal up even after torquing all fasteners. If you drove with one corner loose than you better have heads planed to flatten them. Most gaskets require retorquing after several heat cycles, but this should not have left nuts hand loose, like you described. I would plan on at least pressure testing cooling system for leaks after full retorque of studs.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Meffa, MA
Re: Weird Problem with ARP studs </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by LS1derfull:
<strong>Most gaskets once they leak, will not seal up even after torquing all fasteners. If you drove with one corner loose than you better have heads planed to flatten them. Most gaskets require retorquing after several heat cycles, but this should not have left nuts hand loose, like you described. I would plan on at least pressure testing cooling system for leaks after full retorque of studs.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">They seem fine. Like I said, we'll see in the spring. It wasn't leaking between the head and block, it was coming up the bolt hole. It is not leaking at all now that I can tell.
-Dave
<strong>Most gaskets once they leak, will not seal up even after torquing all fasteners. If you drove with one corner loose than you better have heads planed to flatten them. Most gaskets require retorquing after several heat cycles, but this should not have left nuts hand loose, like you described. I would plan on at least pressure testing cooling system for leaks after full retorque of studs.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">They seem fine. Like I said, we'll see in the spring. It wasn't leaking between the head and block, it was coming up the bolt hole. It is not leaking at all now that I can tell.
-Dave