Head studs

mk3zephyr, May 25, 8:00pm
ok was thinking of getting new bolts and putting inserts into the block where they are a bit flogged, then thought about tapping the holes to 1/2" unc and getting 1/2" unc to 7/16" unc studs for the Chev Block, would anyone know if you can buy them or would they have to be made!, would that be the better option or would it be more cost effective to go with the Keen-sert style of insert (thing has been heli!recoiled before and have let loose) and just buying new head bolts, cheers
guider1, May 25, 8:20pm
Sounds to me like the block is past it's use-by date to be honest zeph.
mk3zephyr, May 26, 7:04am
engine actually runs sweet and produces more power than i thought it would, there are 2 or 3 buggered bolts and they have stuffed the threads around the water gallery, was just going to change the bolts to studs or put inserts in to give it a new lease of life for a couple more years.
mrfxit, May 26, 7:29am
We talked about this before & you had a few ideas given to you then.
A lot will depend on how much meat you have left before chewing in to the water / cylinder jackets.

You could use a stepdown bolt where the thread is large & the shank smaller down to the correct size for the head.
Don't forget to use the very best loctite you can get.

By the sounds of what the block metal is like, I would be wary of using any sort of helicoil system (noting it's already ripped 1 lot out).
You need FULL CONTACT threads to allow for the weak metal.
mk3zephyr, May 26, 7:42am
The ideas given were helicoils and recoils which i dont want to use, there is quite a bit of meat so tapping it out to 1/2" isnt a problem. Your stepdown bolts, how would you pass the large threaded part through the holes in the head which are only 7/16" !, special shrinking machine perhaps!, or get some longer than i need and cut a thread on the Head end !
mrfxit, May 26, 7:54am
You could get some bolts made up as described above (read it again) & theres probably some already around but would take a bit of digging/ asking parts supplyers.
"The Bolt Shop"
http://www.boltshop.co.nz/
Should be an easy job for them to make up what you need.

Large diameter thread/ stepdown to smaller shank .
mrfxit, May 26, 7:57am
The only other option is to strip the block down & get the old holes welded up by someone who KNOWS what they are doing with that sort of job & redrilled to std, then resurface the block accordingly.
May as well do a full recon while you are doing that.
bjmh, May 26, 7:59am
studs would be the go ,not the original bolts.then you can loctite whatever into block.i would check your compression readings .i shaved heaps off original mark thrice and never had a prob.if you can't fit studs try and figure out how far bolts are threading into block,bolts you have might be a bit short.great car,great memories ha ha.raymond mays head,triple side-draft 45's ahhhdream over.
phalanax, May 26, 8:02am
Not sure if this is of any use but gm have a headbolt kit for their northstar v8s to do with head threading probs on theiralloy block its a fix for the removal damage of the headbolts due to the alloy block it might give you a few ideas anyways.
mrfxit, May 26, 8:08am
Ummm yea ,. sorry, was meaning STUDS.
mk3zephyr, May 30, 6:52pm
Ok went into Saeco Bearings and the things are called lok-serts, they look like keenserts but you dont need a special Tap, The ones i needed (7/16" unc) requires a 9/16" unc thread cut into the block to accomodate them and they are $60+ for a pack of 5, since i need about 36 of them i may just go with the stud idea instead, but yea thats what they re called Lok-serts. If i wanted to put in say a 3/8" stud then it would have to be tapped to 1/2" to wind the insert in etc etc.
petermcg, May 30, 7:28pm
how about $60 for a new set of manly bolts that are slightly longer to compensate for when you use a washer, would theses help.
snoopy221, May 30, 8:49pm
Just get a stud kit and fit it use ya helicoils where ya need em and loctite the ass off it dude.(after all the advice it;s what ya gunna do)
guider1, Apr 21, 5:03pm
Personally, if it were mine i'd just get another block that is in good condition. but then i'm fussy & dont like doing repairs on a crucial area of any engine. I'd rather shell out a bit of cash & know that everything is in A1 condition so I can beat it.