Main Studs??
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Joined: May 2017
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Main Studs??
Hey there, I wanted to pick the brains of some of yall here. I'm building a small block 400, its only a 2 bolt main. Now I'm not PLANNING on putting a power adder or anything wild on this engine, but plans change. So for some extra margin I decided to pick up some ARP main studs. Now ARP says to put the studs in hand tight and then torque them down. When I have used other companies studs for other applications (diffs, heads, etc) I was always instructed to torque the studs down before assembly and then torquing the nuts. This hand tight thing is making my brain go sideways. I ASSUME the people at ARP know more then me, but hand tight?? Sounds wrong to me.
What say yall??
Thanks for reading.
What say yall??
Thanks for reading.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 864
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Yes, hand tight, then torque nuts (and use their assembly lube they give you). ARPs catalog has a LOT of info in there, one of which explains why your doing this. Im sure its on their web site as well.
As for snug and blue loctite, ive built prob 100 engines that way, never had an issue. Changed my ways after i learned ARPs way.
As for snug and blue loctite, ive built prob 100 engines that way, never had an issue. Changed my ways after i learned ARPs way.
Last edited by FostersPerformance; Jan 9, 2020 at 03:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Torque the nuts not the studs so far so good. 2 bolts or 4 with 400s doesnt matter long as its not cracked.
If it were me id just get a little better bolts and call it good not like the studs will add strength to the block.
Make sure the guy who line hones it knows what you are doing.
If it were me id just get a little better bolts and call it good not like the studs will add strength to the block.
Make sure the guy who line hones it knows what you are doing.
Last edited by cv67; Jan 9, 2020 at 03:20 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
You DO NOT WANT TO TORQUE the studs into the block on initial installation. This would drive the studs into the bottom of the of the mounting hole in the block and set up a huge stress point which could come back to haunt you; plus the threads in the block are now needlessly stressed also. Hand tight, or I've seen a recommendation of 35 ft/lbs torque MAX to set the studs into the block with Locktite or epoxy, .
Last edited by mtwoolford; Jan 13, 2020 at 02:13 PM.
