[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by James Rogers

What does it matter, the studs are incorrect also. The only way to simulate Ford's original specs is to use NOS studs and mill the head to factory specs. Pouring the cast iron is not the problem, the machining is.

This is true too regarding reproduction ones.

So the next line of questions for folks to ponder is during the rebuild, did the rebuilder 'deck' the block? If so, how much?? Was that the first time this procedure has been done to that block?? Do you think this affects the clamping force of the block because one thread in the stud hole potentially has been eliminated? And, just how many threads are necessary (i.e.: required) for the stud to adequately clamp the head to the block with 5.5:1 compression?

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I can't believe that ANYONE WOULD NOT SEAT THE STUDS TIGHTLY!! That's how they were intended to be installed!!
When they're loose, they wobbble, if the stud turns while torqueing, then you're tightening with the coarse threads which equals LESS TORQUE. This way violates all the rules of common sense, proper assembly.
If any stud hole has water below it, it'll leak like a sieve up around the stud & nut.
I always use Locite to seal the threads & tighten them to 10 Ft Lbs.
Ya'll do what you want, but mine don't leak!! Bill W.

If you think about this, how does one "seat the stud(s)" if there is a hole in the bottom? What do we seat the stud against? Therefore as you mentioned, using a thread sealant is a good thing. Having a stud height gauge to use to set the proper height after the sealant has been applied and the stud installed helps lock the stud in place. These are easy to make. One other point, if the fine thread and the course thread end of the stud have equal friction, then the nut on the fine thread end will turn during the torquing procedure because of the mechanical advantage on that end. Granted the torque specification will likely be skewed however most would agree this is moot because torque wrenches, nor torque values per se' were not known back in the day when the Model-A engine was manufactured.

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

James Rogers: Is this "flaw" the reason you're selling the "new" heads on the SWAP site with the .060 "cut" ??
Paul in CT

Paul, I'm sure James will come along and answer you definitively but I'm pretty sure what he did was buy a group of 5.5 heads and machine them to become a 5.9/6.0 compression ratio head to meet the needs of us who were needing that higher compression ratio while the other heads are out of production.