Head studs

jrvariel48

jrvariel48

Well-known member
I'm thinking of installing aluminium heads on my coupe this winter.
Do the head studs need to be changed or will the stock studs be long enough?
They are Edelbrock heads with an "S" stamped on them. I was told here on the Barn that the S meant they would fit with stock studs?
Any thoughts??
Thank you,
Joe
 
Change the head studs. Coat the block ends with a good non hardening sealer, such as Permatex, and screw the studs into the block only until the threads are full in the surface. Old head studs (and bolts) have been thru thousands of heat/cool cycles that anneal them, allowing them to stretch. That affects the torque necessary to seal the head gaskets. If any of the old studs are eroded, you may end up with a "wet" stud if the stud extends into the water jacket. Remember that there are three lengths of studs, so be sure to match the new with the old as you go.
 
No need to change the studs out. In good fetal the stock Ford ones are still after all the heat cycles far better than most of the reproduction crap out there. Better material and harder than grade 8 stuff. They only gota hold 40lbsft.
Edelbrock S heads were for stock length studs.
Martin.
 
Old head studs (and bolts) have been thru thousands of heat/cool cycles that anneal them

Sorry. Even with all the 'overheating' we hear of with Flathead V8's there is no way an engine could reach the temperature required to anneal carbon steel.

scooder is right on the money
Click to expand...
 
Thank you everyone! I'm not going to change the studs... to many horror stories of them breaking, etc. None of the studs leak & I know the nuts are all free as I recently torqued them.
Thanks again Joe
 
Weiand S
Edelbrock S
Edmunds
And probably a bunch more old / original heads were designed to drop right on over stock studs
I don’t think that can be said for any of the new heads
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top