LS1/LS6 Head bolt holes!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
They don't go through coolant, but when you take the heads off, some coolant splashes into the holes. Make damn sure the threads/bottom of those are clean before you replace them. Factory bolts are TTY, one time use only. Spring for ARP bolts, or studs, and you can reuse.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
BLIND HOLES!!! If you leave ANY and I repeat ANY coolant in the holes you run the chance of rupturing th block due to hydro-locking the coolant in the holes. It will break the block. Make sure there dry before installing the bolts!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Here's a couple tips:
1) rolling up papertowel like a cigarette you can snake into the holes, when the paper comes out wet, just cut off the wet part and you can go again. I usually get about 2-3 dips into the hole on each sheet.
2) take one of your OLD head bolts and grind off one or two sides of the threads.... and use it like a tap to chase out the holes in the block. You'll be suprised how much gunk is in the threads!
3) don't forget to razor off the carbon from the piston tops while you're there.
Take your time... it's kinda tedious. Beer helps.
1) rolling up papertowel like a cigarette you can snake into the holes, when the paper comes out wet, just cut off the wet part and you can go again. I usually get about 2-3 dips into the hole on each sheet.
2) take one of your OLD head bolts and grind off one or two sides of the threads.... and use it like a tap to chase out the holes in the block. You'll be suprised how much gunk is in the threads!
3) don't forget to razor off the carbon from the piston tops while you're there.
Take your time... it's kinda tedious. Beer helps.
