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01-04-2016, 10:12 PM | #1 |
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Head Bolts won't line up
I'm installing a cast iron Cragar head on a B block and I'm using bolts rather than studs due to firewall clearance. If I install the bolts beginning from the rear and working forward with just enough threads to get them started, the left front hole in the block will not line up enough to get the bolt started. If I work from front to rear, the left and center rear bolts will not line up. The block does not appear to have been machined in any way that would move the location of any of the bolt holes. I've tried grinding a taper on the bolt to get it to start but it doesn't help. Anybody got any good ideas? I may have to go to studs but would like to hear from someone who might have had this problem before.
Studs are undesirable because this engine is installed in a model T and the engine setback into the firewall keeps me from lifting the head over the studs. If I should ever need to change a head gasket I would have to pull the motor to get the head off. |
01-04-2016, 10:26 PM | #2 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
try it on another block to see what happens
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01-04-2016, 10:40 PM | #3 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Will a stock flat head fit? If it does you likely have a problem with the hole placement in the Cragar.
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01-04-2016, 10:44 PM | #4 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Hi how much is it out, if not much like ten thou or so you could diy grind the hole a bit on that side, it can't be out by much. Some other guys will chime in with maybe better ideas
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01-04-2016, 10:47 PM | #5 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Are not studs thinner in the shank than threaded potion ? Maybe you can turn the unthreaded area down to give more clearance , Bore head hole out or just send it to me Ill pay the freight .
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01-04-2016, 11:08 PM | #6 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-04-2016, 11:41 PM | #7 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
The bolt holes in the head could have been thrown out of alignment if the head had been warped and then re-surface flat again. Maybe reaming out the holes a few thou. with an adjustable reamer would solve your problem.
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01-05-2016, 02:30 AM | #8 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-05-2016, 03:59 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Quote:
I think you find not all the Cragar head gasket have the stud/bolt holes punched perfect they are not high volume most were made long ago you sometimes need to tide up 1 or 2 spots |
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01-05-2016, 05:37 AM | #10 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Are you not concerned that the holes in the block are a course thread? I don't know this for a fact but would suspect it would be harder to get proper torque?
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01-05-2016, 05:52 AM | #11 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Guys when Ford went from studs to bolts on the V8 it did not cause problems
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01-05-2016, 07:22 AM | #12 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Ever looked at the bolt holes in a small block chevy or ford?
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01-05-2016, 09:09 AM | #13 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
All engine blocks that I worked on are coarse thread. You would never use a fine thread for cast block.
I would get a .015 over size drill bit, and drill out the holes that are off. Or use a 15/32 on the hole that does not line up. |
01-05-2016, 10:33 AM | #14 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
I had SO much trouble getting the heads off Minerva & Vermin, I drilled the holes in the head 1/32" oversize.
Bill W.
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01-05-2016, 11:38 AM | #15 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-05-2016, 12:21 PM | #16 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
I don't know how thick the material is on the head you are talking about but Snyder told me they had occasional problems with bolt holes from the shop that machined the 5.5:1 heads before I took them over. They were not peck drilling them and so there was wandering of the drill. This may have happened with this head you have. It would most likely present itself towards the end of the drill's life. I use only carbide tipped drills and flood them with coolant and peck the drill at .150 per peck. I have had to start programs over after drilling is finished and when the drilling portion runs again there is no sound coming from the drill re-drilling the drilled holes. That's when you know you have things in order.
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01-05-2016, 12:38 PM | #17 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
If it's a Denver Miller, I would suspect the head is off a little. I once had a new one and the push-rod holes were not drilled all the way through.
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01-05-2016, 01:51 PM | #18 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
I agree that when tightening the coarse thread it will take a little more torque to arrive at the same clamping force.
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01-05-2016, 06:04 PM | #19 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
I agree with Tom's statement. Clamping loads are less with course threads BUT also--
the maximum torque is also less!! Oh the fun of modifying! |
01-05-2016, 08:13 PM | #20 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-05-2016, 08:20 PM | #21 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Jim, do you mean a Miller head produced in Denver? Are all Miller heads slanted on the left side? I believe mine is a Cragar since it is square all around. Of course, mine now has a Brierley cam.
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01-05-2016, 08:21 PM | #22 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
George, you need to invest in a Dodge Brothers. Their head studs are fine thread in the block, 7/16 X 20 if I remember right. It goes against everything I know as a lifelong machinist. Rogeroadster, I'm glad you figured it out, sounds like an easy fix.
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01-05-2016, 08:31 PM | #23 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-05-2016, 08:37 PM | #24 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-06-2016, 12:00 AM | #25 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Quote:
Since there were a number of different rocker boxes made, and they all fit other such heads, by itself, that does not prove anything about who made this head. Is there a large 'A' in the corner, top of head...outside the rocker box ? BTW..what LENGTH of bolts are you using/going to use ? Got to be careful there also. Last edited by hardtimes; 01-06-2016 at 12:03 AM. Reason: ........ |
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01-06-2016, 06:42 AM | #26 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-06-2016, 12:16 PM | #27 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Quote:
Tod |
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01-06-2016, 12:18 PM | #28 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-06-2016, 04:21 PM | #29 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ximZvUWhGZo Tod |
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01-06-2016, 04:42 PM | #30 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Roger, I have Chevy main bolts on my B and have used them on many B's. I like the look and no seaping of water.
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01-06-2016, 08:33 PM | #31 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
Further inspection reveals...Looks like someone has modified this head (shouldn't be surprised, these things have had long and colorful lives). Looks like the original hole size is 15/32, the left front hole has been counter bored to 1/2" all but about the last 1/2"of the depth of the hole then it remains 15/32". The left rear hole has been drilled out to 5/8" and then sleeved with a copper tube and reamed to 31/64". I'm thinking about reaming the left front hole the rest of the way to a size of 31/64". Does this sound dangerous?
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01-08-2016, 04:49 PM | #32 |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
some one may have tried to repair cracks by installing sleeves in bolt holes. I had a damaged miller head that was repaired that way. be sure to pressure test it. Also check your pushrod side clearance particularly if you are plugging the stock valve seats in the block with aluminum inserts. I found the rocker tips and tappets did not align causing the pushrods to rub on the insert.
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01-08-2016, 07:36 PM | #33 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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01-08-2016, 07:40 PM | #34 | |
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Re: Head Bolts won't line up
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