Head stud warning

The only thing you could do to keep from pushing a stud thru a thin exhaust port is to use a measuring devise ( I use a caliber with the tee end placed in the bolt boss flat against the deck and touch the bottom of the boss ) this will give you an idea where the boss ends. This thinness only happens on 6 of the 24 head bosses..

I find large ported motors where lots of material in the exhaust port is removed are more at risk.

BTW: A hole in the exhaust at the points I described will NOT yield the motor unusable nor will it hinder power ( unless the bolt is completely punched through hanging into the flow ) its just something that can be avoided with a bit of care and awarness before instillation and block thickness at those 6 points...

I don't care for nor will I use studs in engines I build from scratch I use bolts BUT when decked blocks, thin head gaskets and shaved heads come into play I even measure the head bolts against block bosses to protect against block boss bottoming and contact as well as bottoming out and prevent total seal of the head gasket as well as exhaust port damage...

Just a FYI for those interested...
Jay

What about using thicker flat washers when installing milled heads?. When I have put may hot street engines together, I would do this as will as clean the threads of all bolts holes by running cutter down them, then oiling during assembly. That was in cast iron blocks. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif

That works fine with bolts, but this is about threaded studs where added washers will not save the port damage..

Jay