ARP head studs, nuts dont fit inside head, what gives?!?!?!?!?

[92nsx]

As the title states I trying to bolt my head down and the nuts from my ARP head stud kit dont fit in side the head. It looks like the nut base needs to be 10-30 thou. smaller. WTF. I have been out trying to get the nuts on the studs for the last 2 hrs. The nuts are the correct ones 12x1.25 is stamped right on them. ANY HELP?? Should I send ARP a email????

 

[IJ.]

Rob: The dowels are in place on the deck?

 

[ForcedTorque]

I hate I can't help much, and hate even more to post this. This has been covered before on here, but you'll have to search to find it. Probably hard to find though.

 

[92nsx]

Yes dowels are in place, in fact I can get the front 2 nuts on and that is it. yes, I did a quick search but as you said didnt find anything. just about 50 thousand treads about the differance between studs and bolts

 

[IJ.]

Only thing I can think of is the head was set up square on the Mill when it was surfaced (It is sitting down flat on the deck now isn't it?)

Either that or horrible Core Shift in the casting.

 

[92nsx]

The head is sitting all the way down on the deck. The casting # on my head is #2. I hope Jim (my engine builder) did everything right since it was 300 bones just to surface the head. It looks like the machine holes for clearance in the head (where the nuts fit) needs to be larger. If that makes sence to you. What are my options? try and trade or source a set of bolts? (yes that would suck)

 

[IJ.]

If it were me I'd grad a m12x1.25 bolt chuck it in the Lathe spin a couple of nuts on and turn the Diameter down enough to fit.

I'm not sure of you have access to a machine shop, the guy that did the head will probably have a Lathe though.

 

[92nsx]

Ya I have access to a lathe, I could do that tomarrow at work Will this affect the nut in any way? Clamping force? tq. numbers?

 

[IJ.]

Nah you shouldn't have to remove much to make them fit.

Just be sure to break any sharp edges with a file or a stone/sandpaper to prevent stress risers.

They live in Oil so rust isn't an issue, I'd smear em with the Moly just in case there's any delay in starting it.

 

[iwannadie]

I swear I had the same problem, just had to wiggle/tilt them in.

 

[92nsx]

ok that is what I will do, thank you IJ I might even go yet tonight is i can find all the nuts, I just went out to round up all the nuts and now there is only 13! I think I am loosing my mind. On second thought I might just go to the bar, now, and have a few cold ones. I will update this thread when I cut the shit out of my $120 head stud kit. O-well, the american dollar isnt worth shit anyways, LOL

 

[IJ.]

The other one is on the engine

 

[92nsx]

The other one is on the engine

Yep you are right, it was on the valley cover, found it.

I swear I had the same problem, just had to wiggle/tilt them in.

I tryed wiggling, tilting them, on 3 differnt studs, the last 2 hrs. There is no go unless I'm wiggling them wrong LOL

 

[92nsx]

Cool they fit now. The base measured in at .816" and I turned them down to .780" Thank you again IJ for the fast responce.

 

[IJ.]

You're welcome!

Don't forget to dress the sharp edges