I agree Rich, about the crank example. Its a good example. The cranks do however undergo harmonics and other dynamic phenomena that hardware wont.

Like I said, I'll give it a go and and I'll post the good or bad.

Jon

 

woot woot....

 

There might be several ways to skin a cat, but there are only a very few proper ways to assemble a motor. Using unknown or unproven parts is not one of them. I have seen it time and time again where the engine owner wants to go the "less expensive route" and then wonders why something failed and/or the motor needs "another rebuild" prematurely. You certainly pay the price for ARP fasteners, but I also don't ever remember seeing one fail (not to say that they haven't, but at a FAR lesser rate than others, I'm sure).

 

Problem is there are no competitors for ARP. Whos hardware has failed? You only ever see stock bolts versus ARP bolts. Never any other comparos.

 

There are a number of name brand/high quality engine fasterners available. Along with ARP, Manley, Moroso, Milodon, Crower, GM, etc. all market high quality bolts and studs. I doubt if they all have a plant make these things - that's a major capital investment and suspect they are all coming from the same place or at most a couple of places. That's why I am suspicious of something that is a fraction of the price. How are they making them, where are they getting them?? Why are some of you assuming that the name brands are some kind of a rip-off rahter than the off-brand being a cheap substitute? If they are making them in china, I don't want them. Feed your pets with Chinese pet food, then put their bolts in your motor.

Rich

 

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the price. Perfect example: here at work we use a large number of various size flanged bearings. For years we always bought domestic that ran about $12/piece for the size we normally use. We can get imported bearings from China for $3/piece. and you know what? anywhere that we need a high quality bearing with tight tolerances, we use the domestic. Sure the Chinese ones are cheap, but their quality is no where near what the domestic ones are.

 

are we talking fastners here?

 

Yes.

Rich

 

all we're saying is, if it was us, we wouldn't use them. its your engine, your money. more than likely, you can use them and get away with it. its a roll of the dice though and not a gamble I'd take with that much money tied up in the engine.

 

thats cool ARP studs had been bought just wanted to know for future builds if the others could get used as i will wait for the other forum member up on here to get back to me with results.

 

real quick any word on the head studs usage yet...

 

I have used ARP, Manley, and Crower branded studs. No issues with any of them. Is that what you were asking?

Rich

 

It will be a few month, so dont wait on me Waiting on parts to be coated before I assemble the whole engine.

 

Back some years ago, jet engines were falling off the planes and it was ultimately determined that the fasteners were "counterfeit" bought cheaply from overseas. They looked the same to the experienced mechanics installing them, but failed later in a critical way. Now, whether it's heat treating, or material composition, something was not done the same. Yes, ARP overcharges - but the products are a sure bet. Quality has a high price - I think it costs my company more than $1M/yr just for all the metrology departments to check all the gauges and tooling. We also buy stuff from overseas at a huge savings over domestic, and, unfortunately, I am making a career out of teaching them (China) how to do it right. I've seen taps and dies made in China and they are usually crap. Not saying your screws are from there, but they just might be.

 

I think most people will agree that performance and "insurance" comes at a price.