head bolt question!

ghostrider05 · January 24th, 2012, 05:48 PM

Hey guys, I have some trick flow 170 heads that have the 1/2in holes, and the block holes are 7/16in. I have an ARP head bolt kit with washers. Would it be ok to bolt the heads down with the head bolts and washers provided in the kit, (recommended by a local engine shop)or should I just wait and order the step down inserts for the head bolts? Any experience you guys have with this would be greatly appreciated.

32vFox · January 24th, 2012, 06:49 PM

the head holes will always be a tad bigger than the bolt its self/ hole in the block..
hope this helps

horsepowerjunkie · January 24th, 2012, 06:58 PM

I would get the bushings. They can be had from Summit Racing.
Trick Flow Specialties TFS-51400419 - Trick Flow® Head Bolt Bushings - Overview - SummitRacing.com

ghostrider05 · January 24th, 2012, 07:43 PM

Thanks! Thats exactly the bushings I was talking about. I just asked because I had an engine shop around here tell me that they weren't necessary because mercruiser 5.0L engines have been using 351 heads (1/2 inch holes) for years with just washers on the head bolts. Im actually going to go ahead and purchase these tonight. I have a question to follow, just trying to upload the picture. Bare with me please. :-)

ghostrider05 · January 24th, 2012, 07:50 PM

Is there any issue with the rocker sitting slightly offset like this? The wear pattern shows right in the middle of the valve stem, its just that the whole roller doesn't sit over the stem. Any inputs or experiences with this would also be greatly appreciated!

e3sean · January 24th, 2012, 09:11 PM

Are the dowels in the block? There should be 2 on each side that line the head and block up.

ghostrider05 · January 24th, 2012, 09:16 PM

Yep, head is on the dowels. Its only got 4 head bolts in it right now, ( closest to #1 cylinder) just tightened snug so not to compress gasket yet and to check for push rod length, because that was an issue I was having. Then I saw this. Will they probably sit differently after its all torqued down?

horsepowerjunkie · January 24th, 2012, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by ghostrider05

Is there any issue with the rocker sitting slightly offset like this? The wear pattern shows right in the middle of the valve stem, its just that the whole roller doesn't sit over the stem. Any inputs or experiences with this would also be greatly appreciated!

You may want to loosen the rocker studs and try and slide the guide plate over a little to try and get better alignment.

FastStang91Lx · January 24th, 2012, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by horsepowerjunkie

You may want to loosen the rocker studs and try and slide the guide plate over a little to try and get better alignment.

+1

ghostrider05 · January 25th, 2012, 07:28 AM

Thanks again fellas, I'll try that. I really appreciate all the help. Hopefully I'll have this thing running in a couple weeks.

January 24th, 2012, 06:58 PM	#3
horsepowerjunkie Hardcore Enthusiast 1989 Black LX---Turbo Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: just outside Minot, ND Posts: 1,153 iTrader: 0 reviews	I would get the bushings. They can be had from Summit Racing. Trick Flow Specialties TFS-51400419 - Trick Flow® Head Bolt Bushings - Overview - SummitRacing.com __________________ 89 LX Black, Boss 331, C4,T76BB, FAST EFI 82 Capri RS,89 5.0 HO,Comp XE266,TW 170,T5,etc. 73 Dart Sport 340, 410ci Bracket Brawler 72 Demon 340 4-speed 1 of 1667 01 Ram Quad Cab 03 Grizzley 660

January 24th, 2012, 09:11 PM	#6
e3sean I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1988 lx 9.68@142 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: goldsboro NC Posts: 5,609 iTrader: 0 reviews	Are the dowels in the block? There should be 2 on each side that line the head and block up. __________________

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January 24th, 2012, 05:48 PM	#1
ghostrider05 Regular 1989 GT 'vert Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Navarre FL Posts: 164 iTrader: 0 reviews	head bolt question! Hey guys, I have some trick flow 170 heads that have the 1/2in holes, and the block holes are 7/16in. I have an ARP head bolt kit with washers. Would it be ok to bolt the heads down with the head bolts and washers provided in the kit, (recommended by a local engine shop)or should I just wait and order the step down inserts for the head bolts? Any experience you guys have with this would be greatly appreciated.

January 24th, 2012, 06:49 PM	#2
32vFox Regular Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 64 iTrader: 0 reviews	the head holes will always be a tad bigger than the bolt its self/ hole in the block.. hope this helps

January 24th, 2012, 07:43 PM	#4
ghostrider05 Regular 1989 GT 'vert Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Navarre FL Posts: 164 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks! Thats exactly the bushings I was talking about. I just asked because I had an engine shop around here tell me that they weren't necessary because mercruiser 5.0L engines have been using 351 heads (1/2 inch holes) for years with just washers on the head bolts. Im actually going to go ahead and purchase these tonight. I have a question to follow, just trying to upload the picture. Bare with me please. :-)

January 24th, 2012, 07:50 PM	#5
ghostrider05 Regular 1989 GT 'vert Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Navarre FL Posts: 164 iTrader: 0 reviews	Is there any issue with the rocker sitting slightly offset like this? The wear pattern shows right in the middle of the valve stem, its just that the whole roller doesn't sit over the stem. Any inputs or experiences with this would also be greatly appreciated!

January 24th, 2012, 09:16 PM	#7
ghostrider05 Regular 1989 GT 'vert Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Navarre FL Posts: 164 iTrader: 0 reviews	Yep, head is on the dowels. Its only got 4 head bolts in it right now, ( closest to #1 cylinder) just tightened snug so not to compress gasket yet and to check for push rod length, because that was an issue I was having. Then I saw this. Will they probably sit differently after its all torqued down?

January 25th, 2012, 07:28 AM	#10
ghostrider05 Regular 1989 GT 'vert Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Navarre FL Posts: 164 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks again fellas, I'll try that. I really appreciate all the help. Hopefully I'll have this thing running in a couple weeks.

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