Cylinder head questions.

[katy]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Probably he means don’t chase them with a tap.

I assumed that's what the OP meant, but, "why not"?
What's wrong w/a bottoming tap to chase/clean the threads?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by katy

I assumed that's what the OP meant, but, "why not"?
What's wrong w/a bottoming tap to chase/clean the threads?

Because a tap removes metal. Use a thread chaser or an old bolt with a slit cut in it. I never use a tap to chase threads.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Because a tap removes metal. Use a thread chaser or an old bolt with a slit cut in it. I never use a tap to chase threads.

I know where you are going but that is kind of a 'Misconception'. A tap doesn't necessarily remove metal. I use a tap to chase threads all the time as I am interested in removing damaged threads and/or rust. The reason why this myth about not using a tap is often mentioned is because most mechanics do not understand about classification of threads. Since I purchased the print of the engine block, it provided the class of threads. I ordered the matching class of bottoming tap, and it works perfectly.