Doing a head and cam install on my LT1.

Should I chase the threads with a tap or not. Does the crud that breaks loose go down into the coolant passages and if so is this bad?

If yes then what is the exact procedue for thi, using oil or not. How do you clean up the mess?

 

I have never chased the threads. I know some who sware by it but i know engine builders who have not done it on any engine they ever built in 30 years. Rember to lube the threads on the head bolts tho. Without it you will not get the proper tq on them.

 

You don't chase threads with a tap-you use a thread chaser. It's best to chase them, IMO. Any decent rebuild guide will have that in their procedure, too.

 

when I replaced my head gaskets and used new arp bolts, I chased every one of them. it's cheap, takes little time and a good assurance that your threads are clean to provide a true torqueing result.

 

i did the same thing, step by step in shoebox's engine guide. it runs great and fit together nicely with no issues. Its just a assurance, you dont want to put he heads on and in the middle of it run in to a problem.

 

yes use a thread chaser, not a tap.

and it's always BEST to do this but it's not always necessary.

 

If you don't chase the threads, you will get a false torque reading when torquing down the heads which can lead to premature failure of the head gaskets (or worse).