Heads Ache

[37Flat]

After we deciphered right from left head, I went to work to install them. One stud on each side stripped, so they're back off. Looking closer, before I removed them, I found that #13 (torque order - 2nd from right, top row) was barely sticking out of the head. It's the one that stripped. I know I was very careful to get the right studs in the right place and have remeasured a couple to confirm. When I installed them, I double nutted them and tightened them until firmly seated.

How can one go too deep and more importantly, how do you prevent it from happening? Longer stud might help, but it seems like there's still a problem that needs to be fixed.

I know the picture doesn't really show the issue, but several of the studs seem low on both sides and I thought perhaps it's the heads are part of the problem.

What do you think?

[tubman]

It sounds like "Heli-coil" time. I don't know the history of your engine, but it sounds like that hole was stripped out and someone just tapped it deeper. Some measurement and checking is in order before you proceed.

[johncusano]

Hope you sealed the studs.


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[alanwoodieman]

did the nut strip or the stud strip? short stud, less than a nut length of threads thru the head is too little to hold a nut anyway

[37Flat]

The hole measures 2.125" deep, I assume into the water jacket. The threads on the stud and in the hole appear to be ok. I just put it back on and it tightened up like it's supposed to. No idea what is going on. Has about 35 lbs of torque when it spun.

[flatjack9]

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Real Ford studs have a shoulder so they can not be installed too deep if the hole is the proper size.