I’m wondering who out there has done a headstud upgrade andcan walk me through taking the oem ones out and replacing them with new or aftermarket studs? I ordered some ARP headstuds for my b18a1 any info that can help is greatly appreciated.
-Remove the valve cover.
-Remove the cam-caps that hold the camshafts in place.
-Remove the cams.
-Take out the head-bolts in the correct order. (From the outside, moving inward)
-Remove the head.
-Clean/“chase” the bolt holes to make sure the threads are clean and free of debris.
-Install the ARP units, hand-tight, lube both ends of each stud.
-Install the head gasket.
-Install the head.
-Put the nuts on the studs, and tighten in the correct order. (Start in the middle and work outward)
-Tighten the nuts in 3 steps, stopping at whatever torque is listed on the install sheet that comes with the ARPs.
-Install Cams
-Install Cam-caps, torquing down to the specified spec
-Install valve cover
-Install timing belt
That is a rough walkthrough. If you search on HondaTech im sure there is a more in-depth walkthrough.
That’s a great write up…in regards to the screwing in of the head studs how far into the block do they need to be ? Or how much should they stick out?
It says hand tight in the instructions if I remember correctly. By design, there is a little wiggle room there. As long as you don’t run out of threads when torquing the nuts down, it is fine.
Oh, and those ARPs should come with washers. I ordered a set and they weren’t included which is why I’m giving you a heads up. Also, make sure the threads on the ARPs are free of any burrs. That first set also had fucked up threads on one of the studs and the nut wouldn’t screw on all the way. Because ARP uses some kind of fancy threads, you can’t just clean it up with a normal die.
should I use a thread lock/seal apart from assembly lube?
No. No thread lock on head studs. Follow the install and torque instructions from ARP.
Cool. Thanks a lot for the very helpful information.
One last question I hope, how do I clean the threads in the bolt hole before installing the head studs?
There is a tool called a thread-chaser… it is almost like a tap, it ‘cuts’ all the crap out and cleans up the threads. Realistically you could use an old headbolt and some engine oil. Oil up the bolt and thread it in… pull it back out and spray some compressed air in the hole. Then repeat a few times. Just try as best you can to get any debris outa the holes and make sure there are no crossed/stripped threads.
As far as using thread-locker or anything… it says in the instructions that if you plan to mount the studs permanantly in the block that you indeed can use a thread locker… but you have to have the head torqued to spec before the locker hardens. And of course you only apply the thread locker to the side that goes in the block… not the side that sticks out. But I wouldn’t recommend doing this at all.
edit
On second though, maybe it was the instructions for the main-studs that mentioned thread locker… it may have not been mentioned for head studs. But as I said, I wouldn’t recommend permanantly installing them. Just use the moly lube supplied by ARP.