How To Install ARP Head Bolts by Farnsworth

**SyntheticShield** · 09-21-2008

They way I do it, with great results.

Make sure the block is clean. The top of the deck is clean and smooth, and all the old head gasket is removed.

I suggest that the head stud holes be cleaned out well with a tap, cause all your doing is chasing the threads, and cleaning out the old GM thread sealant, your not cutting new threads.

Once that is done, you clean the holes again with a pipe brush and brake cleaner.

You then use Teflon Paste that has a very good heat range, I believe what I use is in the range of -30*F to 500*F. You want to put some on a screw driver, and apply it down in the holes of the block. You also want to apply a good amount to the studs them selfs, so thick you pretty much pack the threads full so its smooth all the way around, up and down of the lower threads with the paste.

You then hand start them into the block, and run them in all the way and pre torque them in with 10 lbs. ft. This does nothing more than make sure they are fully seated in the block. If your doing it by hand...you will never get them to bottom out.

install the head gasket...I have installed the MLS 3 layer ones dry and never had a problem. I have reused them so far 3 times with copper spray and no leaks...so do what you like. If you do install them with copper spray, give the gaskets a quick wipe down with some rubbing alcohol and hang them from a hook, and spray on several light coats of the copper spray till its evenly covered, DO NOT GET ANY RUNS when your painting them. Thats bad!

Install the head gaskets on the prepped block.

On the tops of the studs, where the head stud nuts are, I will apply some of the supplied molly lube to the threads.

I will then install my prepped heads.

I will then take the supplied ARP washers, and coat BOTH sides of them with the supplied molly lube.

I will then take the nuts for the studs, and apply the supplied molly lube to the BOTTOM of the nut that will make contact with the washer, and I also add in some to the inside threads of each nut.

Torque procedure I follow is 40, 60, 80, 90, and then check again later with a follow up 90 lbs. ft.

The pattern which you follow is

5136
7428

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 in that order when you look at the head from above.

Pretty much you start at 40lbs ft. and slowly bring the torque up so that the head is being pushed down slowly. Your final number is 90.

ARP says 70 lbs. ft for ARP Molly lube and 85 with 30 wt. motor oil, do not follow this, as this is not specific to your cars 100%.

When I will install heads...I will pull the motor so i can work around the motor fully so I do the job right the first time. You can do the work with the engine still in the car, and do a good job, but this is what I prefer to do if I am doing the work myself.

Copy, and save this for your records if you want to follow this method, I don't know how many times I have typed this up for others. LOL

Enjoy.

~F~

**GR8racingfool** · 04-12-2009

Should STRESS the importance of getting the correct heat range of the paste!

Some have bought it, and did not read the specks of it before using it only to have the job done, and have coolant leaking up around the studs after the engine gets to operating temperatures.

In this case, you will have to completely clean out all that paste that was installed well, and redo each stud with the correct heat range of the paste.

Teflon Tape is not recommended, and should not be used for a ENGINE applications such as this.

~F~

TDCRacing · 04-12-2009

Originally Posted by GR8racingfool

Teflon Tape is not recommended, and should not be used for a ENGINE applications such as this.

~F~

Care to explain why it is ok to use teflon paste but not teflon tape?

**GR8racingfool** · 04-12-2009

Seen the tape over hang break loose, and get circulated around the system, and eventually create a clog in the radiator restricting flow.

If installed/wrapped correctly, you "could use it" its not rocket science to use tape, but for my assemblies, and builds, I use what I know for sure works, cause I don't like repeat customers for something I did or did not prevent.

With paste...seems like it would be more prone to breaking off in a chunk, and doing the same as far as creating a clog, but I have yet to see this on any engines I have ever built, or worked on.

Thread seal tape - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

~F~

TDCRacing · 04-12-2009

What about High temp RTV? Same issues?

**GR8racingfool** · 04-14-2009

High Temp RTV for head bolts? !?!?!?

~F~

TDCRacing · 04-14-2009

Originally Posted by GR8racingfool

High Temp RTV for head bolts? !?!?!?

~F~

Sure, heard of lot's of people using it with sucess. I don't see why it would do any different of a job than Liquid or tape thread sealant. Do you? I mean it's still sealing the threads and the temp range of it is more than enough.It also is a lot more durable than thread sealant in the fact of it ''breaking off and getting circulated through the system'' That is what I was kind of getting at with my question. It Seems if to much liquid thread sealant was applied it would do the same as you described the tape would. Wich is ''break off and circulate through the system''.

**SyntheticShield** · 04-14-2009

Im kinda curious about this myself now.

**Iron Indian** · 04-14-2009

I've heard of people using High Temp RTV, specifically the Ultra Copper (high heat) stuff from Pemertex. I donno i'd use it personally though, with my luck i'd get screwed. Then again I don't see how it would not work and last for years. I donno...

TDCRacing · 04-27-2009

Used some High temp RTV on the installation and has been working fine. And I have not seen why it would not in the first place.

Figured I'd let you guy's know that you now have another alternative to sealing up those head bolts. And quite possibly the best alternative out there.

**tylerbinski** · 05-01-2009

Great info, thanks Farnsworth.. I have the ARP studs and the following sealants... which is best to use ? Thanks

OR

TDCRacing · 05-01-2009

You can use this... It's tested and proven.

**tylerbinski** · 05-01-2009

I also have GM Gasket Maker, I'll check to see if it is high temp.

Thx

**Reptile** · 05-08-2009

GM Gasket maker is something completely different. You do not want to use it for this application. It's actually an anaerobic sealer.

**tylerbinski** · 05-09-2009

I ended up using this one.

**thomasj** · 05-29-2009

There is nothing wrong with using RTV on head studs. I previously raced mustangs before I started playing with these cars. EVERYBODY used RTV on their head studs. It was the norm. Doesnt really matter what color. If your engine gets hot enough to affect any of the RTVs your screwed anyway

Standard RTV is good up to 500 deg.

**GR8racingfool** · 06-11-2009

This:

is what GM calls for during a rebuild.

Kinda pricey, so that's where my suggestion comes into play for a good solid alternative.

Use what you want to, I merely did the step by step write up cause many were using the molly lube on both ends of the bolts and wondering why they were leaking.

Also, some were using Teflon paste, that was only rated up to 100 some degrees, for your common house hold plumbing repairs. Your engine operates a little hotter than that...so once it reaches that temp. the Paste turns soft again, and allows leak by. Then you have coolant leaking out side the engine, as well as in.

Just saving people headaches, Heads are one job I prefer to do right the first time was my whole reasoning behind it.

~F~

**tylerbinski** · 06-09-2011

BUMP

totally stuck tryng to decide to use teflon paste or teflon tape

ZZP says tape
Farns or Gr8racing says no tape, teflon paste, permatex high temp thread sealant.

well.. can we have a vote here?

I used GM Teflon Pipe/Thread sealant with PTE last time and loaded it on the threads.. but i suspect they were leaking so i am removing all head studs and want to do them over again.

i think i am going to use tape this time.