Go ahead, get your laughing out of the way.

Teally though, why not? Torque spec on a 7/16-14 bolt is 70 ft/lbs. I've seen guys recommend as low as 60 lbs, ARP recommends 80 for their studs.

Stock head bolts are a PITA to torque. I've got a set, but I'd like to not fool with them.

I know, I'm asking for trouble. Thinking of trying it though. Would be a cheaper alternative to studs if it works, and head gasket kits are cheap enough. What, $60 without bolts? Or $30 if you just buy two head gaskets and reuse the rest. Not optimal, but I've done it before.

Gimme your input. I've googled some. All anyone ever says is "the alloys are different", but I can't find any testing or paperwork that backs that up.

 

The ARP studs are reusable. Keep your Disco 2 for any length of serious time and you will be reusing them on your next hg job.

the ARP studs torque precisely. Your hg job will last longer.

the ARP studs dont stretch.

the ARP studs dont harm your block. You arent going to strip out a bolt hole in your block with the ARP studs. Safer.

ARP studs arent going to break off and get stuck in a bolt hole, either.

 

Head bolts are Torque to yield bolts, a special kind of bolt. TTY Bolt Specification & Installation | Fel-Pro Gaskets

I'd worry about regular grade 8 bolts snapping or working loose

Personally I'll stick with head bolts, and might try studs in the future.

 

This^

 

Stock stretch bolts are actually easy to torque, if you have an angle guage, and they're only around $15.

 

Yeah I found the whole process to be pretty easy... I just marked the bolt head with a line to keep track. Angle gauges are also a good call and super cheap on eBay

 

Yep first torq to 15ftlb, let it sit, then mark the bolts, do a 90 turn, let it sit, then come back and do the final 90 turn.

 

Those are some huge torque values...lol.

Off topic but...

The engine l assembled earlier this week was 110, then 150, then you grab a 4 foot breaker bar (preferably 3/4 or a quality 1/2, but nothing made in China), mark head bolts and index 90°, rest, then index 30° Good times...unless you slip off and your elbow finds itself in contact with something solid.

Brian.

 

 

Do NOT use grade 8 for a head bolt. Our engines are designed for TTY bolts. Use studs if you want something different.