Tech question-Head Studs

I've never used head studs on any of the motors I've ***embled, but I want to use them on my latest buildup. Can someone tell me the proper way to install the studs...hand tight on the deck, or do you turn them in tighter? Application is a SBC. Thanks in advance!

-Scott

 

Apply thread sealer to the deck end and hand tighten in block.
Put thread sealer between the head and the washer also.
Watch carefully for leaks when you fill and fire.

 

+ 1 on the method from YOBABY...I have found that sometimes if you hand tighten the studs they can "****" a little in the block because the chamfer is not square..So my method is to apply sealer (make sure the threads are clean/chased before you put the heads on ) hand tighten and back off 1/8 of a turn. this allows the stud to float and find center..if you have ever used head studs you know what i am talking about! Just try and get that head onto all 17 studs if 1 or 2 are crooked just a little .LOL.. Also a good practice is to let the sealer dry overnight before you try and start the motor. (if possible)
good luck
Dave

 

Thanks Guys,
Sounds pretty straightforward. I'll do it as suggested.

-Scott

 

Definitely back them off a rch as Dave said. Try to let them dry a little in the block first as well, as you don't necessarily want them spinning hard into the block, you want the nut pulling the stud without spinning it.

 

Make sure you can pull the head without having to remove the studs.

Did that trick to myself when I put studs in the 32's 462" BBB engine.
Built the engine on a stand and when I went to pull a head later, the right front body brace would not allow the head to slide up and off.

So now I have ARP head bolts on the right and studs on the left.
(The left side will get head bolts before long.)

 

i like to use a countersink on all the holes i put studs in,it's not a bad idea for every threaded hole in the block,in addition to running a worn out tap for a thread chaser.
don't use a brand new tap,it'll open up the holes too much

i also like to wait until i'm gonna fire it up to put the water in,and i throw in some Aluma-Seal just in case

a friend of mine had his Studebaker flat-6 rebuilt,he put water in it and let it sit for a while,when he got back to it there was water in all the cylinders,even though he swears they put sealer on all the studs...