Reuse Intake Manifold Bolts
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Reuse Intake Manifold Bolts
This question may seem silly. You can reuse the bolts on the intake manifold? They are ARP bolts (new when I installed the intake several years ago) and I perfer not to throw them out. Second since the threads have sealant on them what can be used to remove the sealant from them? The reason for the first question is that will the clapming force of the bolts be reduced if reused.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
You can absolutely reuse them regardless, and ARP specifically you can virtually always reuse. I tend to toss torqued fastners at overhaul - but not for an intake swap.
I use a cleaning die for cleaning threads - it doesn't cut them, it just cleans them out. If you do any work on cars, you'll want a set. This is the set I have, and it's been a great investment!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...2&blockType=G2
I use a cleaning die for cleaning threads - it doesn't cut them, it just cleans them out. If you do any work on cars, you'll want a set. This is the set I have, and it's been a great investment!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...2&blockType=G2
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
A few thoughts:
I'm not suggesting a "die" - but a thread restore/clean set. Anyone that does a fair bit of mechanic work will want them, as there's also typically sealant in the threaded holes you'll want to clean out as well...and you'll find them very useful for a bunch of other jobs
Taking a wire wheel - even a brass one - to an ARP bolt will destroy the anodized finish. Not a problem on a stock or Grade 5-type bolt, but not something you want to do to an ARP bolt IMHO.
I'm not suggesting a "die" - but a thread restore/clean set. Anyone that does a fair bit of mechanic work will want them, as there's also typically sealant in the threaded holes you'll want to clean out as well...and you'll find them very useful for a bunch of other jobs
Taking a wire wheel - even a brass one - to an ARP bolt will destroy the anodized finish. Not a problem on a stock or Grade 5-type bolt, but not something you want to do to an ARP bolt IMHO.
Last edited by billla; Oct 7, 2011 at 12:12 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
I throw all my bolts into the parts washer and let them soak for a day or so, then brush them and blow dry them. Stick them in carburetor cleaner overnight and wash them off with water. Most of them are nice and clean. I run a thread chaser over the bolts before reuse.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
A few thoughts:
I'm not suggesting a "die" - but a thread restore/clean set. Anyone that does a fair bit of mechanic work will want them, as there's also typically sealant in the threaded holes you'll want to clean out as well...and you'll find them very useful for a bunch of other jobs
Taking a wire wheel - even a brass one - to an ARP bolt will destroy the anodized finish. Not a problem on a stock or Grade 5-type bolt, but not something you want to do to an ARP bolt IMHO.
I'm not suggesting a "die" - but a thread restore/clean set. Anyone that does a fair bit of mechanic work will want them, as there's also typically sealant in the threaded holes you'll want to clean out as well...and you'll find them very useful for a bunch of other jobs
Taking a wire wheel - even a brass one - to an ARP bolt will destroy the anodized finish. Not a problem on a stock or Grade 5-type bolt, but not something you want to do to an ARP bolt IMHO.
I'd like to get a thread chaser set though, it's got to be alot cleaner than a wire wheel, without all that crud flying all over your work space from a wire wheel.
Last edited by SH-60B; Oct 8, 2011 at 07:25 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Black oxide is a steel conversion coating and so agreed that it's not anodizing - however regular black oxide coating is not hard and leaves a "smutty" finish - take a look at an ARP bolt and you'll find a hard, shiny coating that quite unlike typical black oxide - even though that's what they call it.
FWIW, I do some black oxide at home for restoration parts - here's a great source for this stuff: www.caswellplating.com.
The cleaning taps are nice if for no other reason that there's not just sealant gummed up on the bolts - there's the bolt, and the hole - the wire wheel just cleans one.
FWIW, I do some black oxide at home for restoration parts - here's a great source for this stuff: www.caswellplating.com.
The cleaning taps are nice if for no other reason that there's not just sealant gummed up on the bolts - there's the bolt, and the hole - the wire wheel just cleans one.
Last edited by billla; Oct 8, 2011 at 09:00 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Black oxide is a steel conversion coating and so agreed that it's not anodizing - however regular black oxide coating is not hard and leaves a "smutty" finish - take a look at an ARP bolt and you'll find a hard, shiny coating that quite unlike typical black oxide - even though that's what they call it.
FWIW, I do some black oxide at home for restoration parts - here's a great source for this stuff: www.caswellplating.com.
The cleaning taps are nice if for no other reason that there's not just sealant gummed up on the bolts - there's the bolt, and the hole - the wire wheel just cleans one.
FWIW, I do some black oxide at home for restoration parts - here's a great source for this stuff: www.caswellplating.com.
The cleaning taps are nice if for no other reason that there's not just sealant gummed up on the bolts - there's the bolt, and the hole - the wire wheel just cleans one.
Look for yourself:
http://arp-bolts.com/pages/mfg_process.shtml
ARP uses black oxide, which is significantly harder than the base metal. Normal black oxide application invovles a heated solution. I too use black oxide on steel at work as well as anodizing on aluminum. IDK of any anodizing process for steel.
Last edited by SH-60B; Oct 8, 2011 at 09:37 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Look for yourself:
http://arp-bolts.com/pages/mfg_process.shtml
ARP uses black oxide, which is significantly harder than the base metal. Normal black oxide application invovles a heated solution. I too use black oxide on steel at work as well as anodizing on aluminum. IDK of any anodizing process for steel.
http://arp-bolts.com/pages/mfg_process.shtml
ARP uses black oxide, which is significantly harder than the base metal. Normal black oxide application invovles a heated solution. I too use black oxide on steel at work as well as anodizing on aluminum. IDK of any anodizing process for steel.
Regardless of the terminology or process, I don't use a wire wheel on ARP bolts
Last edited by billla; Oct 8, 2011 at 11:03 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Cleaning RTV or Permatex #2 from bolt threads is almost impossible by soaking is solvent. A mechanical means is required, like wire brushing. A tap will clean the gunk out of the bolt holes.
