ARP Head Studs
Thread Starter
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,498
Likes: 7,182
From: CT
ARP Head Studs
If I went with studs instead of the yield bolts for my heads, is there enough space to install the heads on the studs with the shortblock still in the car?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Generally Not...
The way to do head install with studs is to install the heads First...
Then thread down the Studs Thru the heads...
Even in older small block applications with big engine bays, this is usually how it's done
The way to do head install with studs is to install the heads First...
Then thread down the Studs Thru the heads...
Even in older small block applications with big engine bays, this is usually how it's done
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I did it, but you must be very very careful you don't scrape the head on the studs during installation. The steel stud will really put a scratch into the machined surface of the head. If you are swapping heads you may want to try it first with the old heads to ensure you have a good plan and to make sure things will fit in place correctly. If it doesn't work, you can probably just leave our the one or two rear studs and still use the remaining studs for alignment and as an installation aid.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
with vettenuts. If you decide not to use studs, go with ARP bolts. I don't like dealing with GM torque to yield bolts and the ARP bolts are a standard torque sequence.
Last edited by 93Polo; May 6, 2019 at 09:51 AM.
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
WHAT? 
I installed my heads over installed head studs all the time. PLENTY OF ROOM! No problem at all!
Like VETTENUTS stated, just don't scrape the head surface on the studs.
Provide an e-mail and I will send you pictures of my studs installed in the block. . MUCH better install than regular TTY bolts plus you lessen the chance of pulling the threads out of the block when using TTY bolts. Seen it happen too many times when people use TTY bolts.
NOTE and WARNING!
1. DO NOT purchase the Cheepo Chineseesium head studs. Get the real live ARP studs!! I have had two forum member friends that have used the off shore crap and the threads on the nut side of the studs yielded!!
2. MAKE SURE that you clean out each and every block head bolt hole. NO Dirt, NO moisture/liquid! They MUST be absolutely clean and dry! If you fail to do so you could rupture the block as they are blind holes and the bolts can compress the crap under the bolt when torqueing a TTY bolt. If there is anything in the hole the ARP stud will not get full thread length engagement..
Bill
I installed my heads over installed head studs all the time. PLENTY OF ROOM! No problem at all! Like VETTENUTS stated, just don't scrape the head surface on the studs.
Provide an e-mail and I will send you pictures of my studs installed in the block. . MUCH better install than regular TTY bolts plus you lessen the chance of pulling the threads out of the block when using TTY bolts. Seen it happen too many times when people use TTY bolts.
NOTE and WARNING!
1. DO NOT purchase the Cheepo Chineseesium head studs. Get the real live ARP studs!! I have had two forum member friends that have used the off shore crap and the threads on the nut side of the studs yielded!!
2. MAKE SURE that you clean out each and every block head bolt hole. NO Dirt, NO moisture/liquid! They MUST be absolutely clean and dry! If you fail to do so you could rupture the block as they are blind holes and the bolts can compress the crap under the bolt when torqueing a TTY bolt. If there is anything in the hole the ARP stud will not get full thread length engagement..
Bill
