ive been told reusing the studs will not be a problem, this is only the first time they are being reused, and they have about 20,000 miles on them.

when taking off the head nut, the one outside the crankcase near the spark plugs, the whole stud came out from the block rather then the nut just coming off the stud.

now is it still ok to reuse this? assuming i can separate the nut from the stud can i thread the stud in and then torque the nut later on as normal, OR if i cant get the 2 separated can i just use the nut/stud like a bolt and just torque that down?

sorry if this is a stupid question but ive never dealt with en engine with studs before

 

IMO, I wouldn't chance it.

ARP 134-3601 is a good hex head bolt set for under $65.00. Cheap insurance for the most important fasteners in your car.

 

Why would unscrewing the stud have any relevance to reusability?

 

If you have any doubts, then replace..... But I believe "studs" can be reused, bolts are not recommended to reuse, because of stretching...

 

thanks guys, anyone else know anything?

 

This would be a good question for a metallurgist or the guys at ARP. I don't think it is a matter of torquing, loosening and re-torquing as this is actually recommended during installation using the torque wrench method.

There is a matter of how much the fastener was fatigued during it's life which is not only a factor of the load it saw but could be exaggerated if the fastener was under stretched or over stretched during assembly; both cases lead to increased fatigue of the joint.

It might actually be pretty complicated to 'tell' if 'your' particular fastener could be reused and at what level of confidence.

I would ask ARP for a more detailed answer. With the unique loading/cyclic/ initial installment of each fastener, I would say replace and install per manufacturer recommendation.

Hope this helps, probably didn't.......

-Scott.

 

dude reuse it...... its fine.


I have done it on just about everything, never had a problem. and worked on some fast stuff

 

lol. I guess that is one approach. And there is nothing wrong with things that work. I hate spending money same as the next guy.

It would be interesting to quantify the reuse highly loaded fastener.

ARP builds and test the damn things.......

-Scott.

 

I think with the stud being a high stregth steel it will out last the soft aluminum head. If you can get the nut loose your good to go.

 

But hold on, The BOLT or STUD is what see's a tensile force here and is what is being fatigued with each power stroke. The fastener(s) is what keep the cylinder head from flying off into the hood.

-Scott.

 

I was told I could reuse mine, they are ARP.

 

The head and the block are being compressed together- the fasteners are always in TENSION. For the fasteners to be in compression, they'd be pushing the head and block apart.

 

That would be a neat trick. Do you also push on ropes?

 

^

ok well assuming that i seperate these stupid nuts from the studs i think im gonna reuse them. not that you can always tell but they looks to be in fine shape so i dont think ill have any issues.

id love to keep the studs because i have some laughing gas in my near future

 

I cannot believe this is being discussed

Re-use them!

Our road race, circle track, and tractor pull motors make over 400-800 hp between the different classes and some have 5+ rebuilds with the same fasteners.

It's not a rod fastener that is constantly being subjected to cyclic stresses, if the head fastener is not stretched beyond it's design it can be used almost indefinitely in a street or common race motor.

Top Fuel cars may change them out with some frequency - I don't know as that doesn't apply to me or you.