Anybody ever a problem where when you finger threaded your ARP head studs in the short block and then dropped your head on there not being enough thread to get the nut COMPLETElY on the top of the head stud? I called Metal Jim about it while I was working and ended up removing the head and backing the head studs out a bit (of the block) to allow the nut to complete grip the stud, but the whole time I was working on something just didn't "feel right". I made them so that the stud is just level with the top of the nut. I don't know, I was just wondering if anyone else ran into this issue or whether I did something wrong.

Well, this certainly isn't a difficult question so I'm assuming no one else has ever had this problem.

BUMP for Chris.


95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
15.7 @ 87.9mph
Jeep TB writeup - http://www.dimensia.com:81/jimbo/JeepTBfor2gnt.html

Where did you get the studs from, and what is the part#..The newly revised set for the DOHC 420A has studs that are pretty much a perfect fit. Older kits had mix-matched studs that were not a great fit. Some had to use more than one washer on some of the studs, and some had the issue you describe. If the stud is using all of the threads on the nut, you will be just fine. I wouldn't unthread the stud too much from the block though..

As long as you can get it most of the way on with a washer under it, and it takes the torque you apply, it's fine.

i too have the "old" kit. if you finger tighten them the heights will look like north manhattan... i took the lowest one (in a group, the inner ones are the same length and the 4 outer ones are higher, by design) and tightened it another turn or so with a hex wrench then tightened the rest of them to the same height as the first one.

yeah, with the old kit they don't fit perfectly, the nuts get about 90% of the way down before they bottom out on the washers. works fine, i have never had a head gasket problem.

I didn't buy them from a store or anything ... I got them off a guy. But, by the way you guys described things I think I must have the old set b/c certain ones require multiple washers and whatnot. I tried to leave them in the block as much as possible while making sure nut was flush with the head of the bolt. I think I'm going to be ok :scratch They definately did not fit "nicely" though.