So I am a set of pushrods away from having my motor done. Tonight I hit the garage to change intake manifold bolts and measure the pushrods one last time. I bought a new set of ARP intake bolts because Trick Flow did not cut the holes deep enough to use the factory bolts. I start to torque the first bolt to the final stage of 35ft/lbs and in not even a 1/2 turn the bolt turns free. I pull it out and its full of aluminium threads. GREAT!!! Brand new set of heads that have been sitting in my room for 13 months since I bought them, just screwed me at the worst time ever. Question is do you guys think that i might have a warrenty claim on them? I ordered them on 5/5/04 but they were not shipped until 6/24/04. I was not informed of the backorder status until a few days after i ordered them. I didn't have time to wait so I went ahead and bought another stock motor to throw in the car becuase I had to get it running. Blew that motor and since then the heads came in and have sat in my room, in the box, waiting for me to make money to build a motor.

Do you guys think that I could this head covered under warranty? I am calling tomorrow to see what they say. What you would you guys do?

 

I'd just helicoil the hole and hope none of the others rip lose. I think i've heard of alot of edelbrock heads having that problem, especially the 390-428 ford heads.

 

See I don't like "hope the others don't rip loose" idea. I am building a turbo motor that will see a good amout of boost. Last thing I want to worry about are my intake bolts pulling out of the 2 threads that hold them in.

 

Ummmm hey, not to rain on anyone's parade. But unless TFS sent a sheet that said use FOOT pounds for torque specs. Every LT1/LT4 based manifold I have ever put on (i have put on a few) have torque specs measured in INCH pounds....

I am getting TFS heads for Lloyd to port with in a month, and if there is something different, please tell me but last manual I checked it said INCH pounds.

 

I am not positive off the top of my head, but I am pretty sure the heads and intake manifold are put on using foot pounds. The only inch pound stuff I could remember was like the fuel rail bolts, stuff like that (doesn't need a lot of holding force).

But almost positive heads/int. man./H2O bolts are all ft-lbs.

 

unfortunately i am at work at the moment, and I dont have my Helms nor Chilton manual for the car. I did mine in INCH pounds and never had a issue.

 

From the service manual

Tighten

• Tighten the intake manifold bolts and the studs in a first pass to 10 N·m (89 lb in) in sequence.

• Tighten the intake manifold bolts and studs in the second pass to the final specifications of 50 N·m (37 lb ft) in sequence.

 

mmhmmm welp im not home to look at mine but if thats what it is, then thats what it is. But it was inch pounds then ft pounds. EIther way it sucks that a thread stripped. I wil just have to be more careful when i put my intake on the TFS heads.

 

my engine is just in mock up stage, but i had no problem using the stock intake bolts on my TFS heads...

 

How old are your heads? Mine are from the first production runs. Mabey they updated them. The using the stock bolts. The 4 corner bolts are the ones that sit about 1/4" off the inake and they were bottomed out. So I had to order new, shorter bolts so that I could tighten the intake down.

Well after 10 mins hold time on the line with TFS i was told recommened torque was 25ft/lbs. Well thats not manufacturer spec nor is it written anywhere in the instructions. I told him my problem and he transfered me to someone in warranty's voicemail. I left a message there and then called Summit. Summit's warranty dept. told me to have that one hole fixed and they will pay for the repairs. I don't really like that plan because I have a brand new set of heads that have a problem. What would happen if I go out and torque the rest of the bolts to 25ft/lbs and they all strip out too? Whoes fault is that? The only common thing I hear is "I've never heard of anyone stripping intake bolts before". That to me is a sign that my heads are defective. I am going to give TFS a call again tomorrow and see if i can avoid a voicemail box. This is so much of a nusance I just want the heads replaced or my money back.