ARP head studs.

[Evil86lx]

Anyone have/used the ARP head studs on the 2.3t?

Any tips or recomendations?

thanks

kyle

[svopaul]

I use them on both of mine....work great. The only thing I stress and this goes for head bolts or studs is to use a rethreader kit to clean the bolt threads in the block. NOT a tap set, they cut the threads but a "Rethreader" (Snap-on has a nice kit). If you do not clean the threads in the block then you run the risk of getting an inaccurate torque reading from debris in the threads and the end result will be a blown headgasket.

[RichV]

Cool to see all the SVO guys here!!

Should I use a stocker fel-pro or the 1035?

My thing is not 1/4 mile as much as 20 minute road racing sessions. Plus reliability. Arive and drive, you know!

;)

[svobart]

How much boost are you going to be running? The FelPro 8993 seems to hold up well to motors making 20 psi boost and is a little more forgiving of imperfect block or head surfaces than the 1035. Not to mention you can buy 3-4 8993s for the price of 1 1035.

[svopaul]

I like the 1035 and have not used anything else. I always clean the threads with the rethreader and run over 20 psi and have never had a headgasket failure yet....not saying I won't at some point ;) just that I haven't had one.

[RichV]

I run about 15 with a hybrid. If I drag race it, it may see 20-23 with race gas. Once I get more comfortable on a course with the car I'll put it to 17-18. But 23 max for short periods.

I'm not sure why I have had 2 HGs fail on me recently. Although I can put blame on something for each instance. I put on a new big valve head. It was fluxed and surfaced. It is a NA head, but I did take out some material from the chamber to make it more of a D rather than heart shaped.

1-The head gasket was a no-name that came from a generic engine set kit. I was pre tightening the bolts with a 1/2" rachet and I overtightened some of the bolts off sequence by accident.

2-Fel Pro 8993, got the sequence right and torqued to 90. I think my wrench is crap. But I think I damaged a firing ring puting it in. Because it just snapped. (pic)

But, I think since I have no guides on the head/block, I have been damaging the firing rings of the new head gaskets. The last one I replaced at the racetrack and with 3 people we still managed to f-up #3 cylinder. I think with head studs this would not be an issue. I still had to drive the car home, but I sprayed a bunch of the copper spray on it. It's still runs fine, but I don't think it would survive another road session beating. I need to replace it before July 23.

http://www.coloradostangs.com/gallery/data/500/58Junta4-med.jpg
http://www.coloradostangs.com/gallery/data/500/58Junta5-med.jpg

[svopaul]

If you don't have the locating rings/dowels for the head and headgasket make SURE you pick up a set!!! Even with Head studs the head and gasket will move when you set it on the block if you don't have the proper locating rings.

[RichV]

Where can get a set? I still have my old D-port head, and it has them. But can I purchase them somewhere? Or should I just pull them out of the old head.

[svopaul]

You can get them from Ford....but if you have a used set you can use those...just make sure they are clean, still round and free of any burr's or damage for the most part.

[mfpmax]

Wow, yeah my dowels came of in the head when I did my headgasket.