jrisingmoon
Full Access Member
how much work is involved installing these things?
head studs question
- Thread starter jrisingmoon
- Start date
The Warden
MiB Impersonator
Personally, I don't think it's any more difficult than installing bolts...this is assuming you're changing out the head gaskets.
I replaced my bolts with studs in 2004...one of the best things I've ever done IMHO. I did this with the engine in the truck, and put the studs in after the heads were in place. This goes against "convention", where you are supposed to put the studs in the block and then slip the heads in place over them (this is not possible with the engine in the truck, but is easy with the engine on a stand), but worked quite well. There were a few studs that I knew I wouldn't be able to slide in after putting the heads on, so I put them in the holes in the head and used a rubber band to keep them from falling. Worked like a charm.
Take a look here, here, and here...I took these pictures when I did my install. Maybe they'll help?
Hope this helps some...good luck!
I replaced my bolts with studs in 2004...one of the best things I've ever done IMHO. I did this with the engine in the truck, and put the studs in after the heads were in place. This goes against "convention", where you are supposed to put the studs in the block and then slip the heads in place over them (this is not possible with the engine in the truck, but is easy with the engine on a stand), but worked quite well. There were a few studs that I knew I wouldn't be able to slide in after putting the heads on, so I put them in the holes in the head and used a rubber band to keep them from falling. Worked like a charm.
Take a look here, here, and here...I took these pictures when I did my install. Maybe they'll help?
Hope this helps some...good luck!
69oiler
I don't feel tardy
it's easy. the only trick is you have to use a rubber band or something to hold a few of the back studs inthe head while you drop the head on the block. the firewall gets in the way otherwise.
go with studs, you wont regret it.
go with studs, you wont regret it.
jrisingmoon
Full Access Member
what are some of the benefits of studs? I've heard that 6.9s have issues with bolts and head gaskets but I'm not sure what specifically.
69oiler
I don't feel tardy
the ARP studs are re-usable and do not stretch. the 6.9 head bolts stretch. the studs are not at their yeild point when installed, the bolts are. studs mend the weak link which is undersize head bolts which lead to leaky head gaskets.
jrisingmoon
Full Access Member
how bout on a van? Anyone tried this on a van without pulling the engine?
The Warden
MiB Impersonator
Not to my knowledge...actually, I think I'm the only one who's tried it in a truck.
In a van...actually, you could use the same principle as I did with the truck (the rubber-band trick that both Rob and I described). Just, you'll have to do it with more of the studs. When you pull the head bolts, keep careful track of which bolt you couldn't remove from the head while the head was still mated to the block...if you can't get a bolt out, there's no way you'll be able to get a stud in.
Head job on a van, with the engine in place...you've got your work cut out for you...take pics!
In a van...actually, you could use the same principle as I did with the truck (the rubber-band trick that both Rob and I described). Just, you'll have to do it with more of the studs. When you pull the head bolts, keep careful track of which bolt you couldn't remove from the head while the head was still mated to the block...if you can't get a bolt out, there's no way you'll be able to get a stud in.
Head job on a van, with the engine in place...you've got your work cut out for you...take pics!
