head bolt washers & iron heads
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
head bolt washers & iron heads
I bought these:http://www.jegs.com/i/Mr.+Gasket/720/940G/10002/-1
My head bolts had no washers, and these are longer. Do I have to use them now, or is there enough thread room for them in the block with out washers? Also, if I use ARP ultra torque fastener assembly lube, will I still need thread sealer? Thanks for the help boys
My head bolts had no washers, and these are longer. Do I have to use them now, or is there enough thread room for them in the block with out washers? Also, if I use ARP ultra torque fastener assembly lube, will I still need thread sealer? Thanks for the help boys
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
The washers serve a purpose, use them. They allow the bolt to be torqued to a much more accurate reading. You can use the lube provided or a sealant, I prefer to anti-sieze myself. Whatever you do use one or the other, this also gives a more accurate torque reading.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 3,427
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Stick to one type or the other dont mix. Different lubes/sealants will effect the torque on the bolt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 14
From: backwoods upstate ny
learned the hard way
if washers are NOT used on iron heads, one (or more) of the 'short' head bolts (lower edge of head, near spark plugs) may BUST the head casting boss...this is practically un-repairable.
if the bolt and cyl head are subjected to close visual inspection after destruction, a very small 'wedge' of the head casting will be found, appearing almost like a strange wedge-shaped washer on the bolt...a matching ring of cast iron will be seen missing from the cylinder head...this 'wedge' apparently is what splits the cyl head boss as the head bolt is torqued down...major 'oh sith' time.
short story; ALWAYS use washers on the 'short' bolts, at very minimum.
if the bolt and cyl head are subjected to close visual inspection after destruction, a very small 'wedge' of the head casting will be found, appearing almost like a strange wedge-shaped washer on the bolt...a matching ring of cast iron will be seen missing from the cylinder head...this 'wedge' apparently is what splits the cyl head boss as the head bolt is torqued down...major 'oh sith' time.
short story; ALWAYS use washers on the 'short' bolts, at very minimum.
Last edited by redrose; Apr 6, 2011 at 04:30 PM.
