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Head/Main hole cleaning?

3K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  4sdvenom 
#1 ·
Does anyone have a good recommendation for a tool set or process for properly cleaning the threads in an aluminator block for the head and main studs? Want to make sure everything is properly clean for assembly.

Thanks!

Rob
 
#2 ·
Use some solvent like brakeclean and an engine building bristle brush to get any crud and sludge in the bolt hole loose and fluid. Put an air nozzle on your air hose to blow the crud out of the hole. Repeat this process until the wash fluid, when blown out of the hole, comes out clear and clean.

Go on eBay or wherever you buy tooling and get a thread forming tap, not a thread cutting tap. Use the Thread Forming tap to chase the threads in the bolt holes.

Thread forming taps do not cut the parent metal - there are no chips! Instead they flow the parent metal around the thread form on the end of the tap. You will need to use a high pressure thread forming lubricant. This is the same way Ford originally threaded all the fastener holes in the block. It is the preferred way to chase the threads without weakening the thread or reducing the percentage thread engagement Ford originally designed into the fastener anchor point.

Ed
 
#4 ·
ARP does, and I have actually purchased the tool and tested it in an aluminum plate. The finish in the threaded region of the hole after using the thread forming tap vs the ARP thread cleaning tool is night and day different. I would highly recommend the thread forming tap not the ARP thread cleaning tool. That said, the engine is yours and the dollars are also yours so that makes whichever way you decide, right for you because you own the ultimate responsibility for what happens.


Ed
 
#6 · (Edited)
What are your thoughts on alot of people notching a stock head bolt and using that? I've seen that solution touted alot, but it makes me nervous.

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That's comparable to a brain surgeon using a box cutter that he sharpened with a Harbor Freight knife sharpener, Rob. You can find a long shank thread forming tap on eBay for about $35 or $40. An ARP thread chasing tool costs $31 from Summit. For a few bucks more I would definitely go the thread forming tap route - especially after inspecting threads cleaned by each of them.

When you actually do the job, be sure to flood the hole with some type of solvent and then go in with a Moroso or equivalent block cleaning brush using an electric drill to clean the threads and loosen all the crud. Get an air hose with a long tubular extension that will reach the bottom of the holes and blow out all the crap that you have loosened up. Protect your eyes from the crud coming out of the stud wells. Flush the holes until you are satisfied they are clean and you are good to go with the thread chaser. Use a good extreme pressure thread forming oil like Tap Magic.

Ed
 
#8 ·
Use the eBay contact seller feature to directly contact the seller, Rob. Ask about an extended length thread forming tap with a square drive. For reasons I don't understand they don't always list them but if you ask they frequently have them. Try eBay's ZORO tools I have gotten more than a few from them in the past.


Ed
 
#9 ·
Use the eBay contact seller feature to directly contact the seller, Rob. Ask about an extended length thread forming tap with a square drive. For reasons I don't understand they don't always list them but if you ask they frequently have them. Try eBay's ZORO tools I have gotten more than a few from them in the past.
Ed
Just go to the source:
https://www.zoro.com/search?q=thread forming tap
 
#10 ·
thanks Eric. I should have put up their website. I usually ended up at their door step through eBay but the website is more efficient and direct. They also have a phone number Ron the site to contact them. On more than one occasion they have has the tool I was looking for but not posted on their website. The phone call consistently turned up the tool I was looking for.


Ed
 
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