Head stud question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Trob85 · 12-29-2015, 04:04 PM

Anyone out there installed head studs with the engine still in the car? I've heard that it's nearly impossible and you might as well pull the engine.

Soybeanrice · 12-29-2015, 04:27 PM

Can be done. Expect to break your back. You can take out the radiator and stand on a crossmember inside the engine bay

Da Mammer · 12-30-2015, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trob85

Anyone out there installed head studs with the engine still in the car? I've heard that it's nearly impossible and you might as well pull the engine.

Yes It can be done, the next question is would you rather pull the engine or pull the brake booster and other crap that's in the way?

Trob85 · 12-30-2015, 06:04 AM

Is it more work to fight the other components than it is to just pull it?

Dustins · 12-30-2015, 05:40 PM

Yep, easier to pull it in my opinion.

tadams72 · 12-30-2015, 08:05 PM

Not impossible and you don't need to pull the engine or the brake booster or much else besides the valve covers obviously. I've pulled and reinstalled studs, heads, and more with the motor in the car several times. Bottom line, don't waste your time pulling the engine unless there is some other reason. If your just changing over to studs? Do it in the car.

vroomapunk · 12-31-2015, 09:49 AM

Id have to agree, unless there is another reason to pull the engine, do it in the car.

I havent installed studs before, but I have had the heads off a few times. Is there a reason you cant put the head in place, then put the rear studs in while the head is already there? If so, it doesnt seem any more difficult than installing bolts.

But I guess you would have to remove and reinstall studs next time around, which may defeat the purpose.

tadams72 · 12-31-2015, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vroomapunk

Id have to agree, unless there is another reason to pull the engine, do it in the car.

I havent installed studs before, but I have had the heads off a few times. Is there a reason you cant put the head in place, then put the rear studs in while the head is already there? If so, it doesnt seem any more difficult than installing bolts.

But I guess you would have to remove and reinstall studs next time around, which may defeat the purpose.

Yep except for defeats the purpose. Studs remove twisting load on the fastener so you get more clamping force. All the studs can be installed after the head is set in place. The dowels hold the head in position then start installing the studs. LS3 studs can be installed to finger tight up to 15 lbs/ft of torque due to design of the engine and stud. Then come back and place ARP ultra torque on washers/nuts and torque them. Torque in the proper sequence in three steps. Done.

vroomapunk · 12-31-2015, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadams72

Yep except for defeats the purpose. Studs remove twisting load on the fastener so you get more clamping force. All the studs can be installed after the head is set in place. The dowels hold the head in position then start installing the studs. LS3 studs can be installed to finger tight up to 15 lbs/ft of torque due to design of the engine and stud. Then come back and place ARP ultra torque on washers/nuts and torque them. Torque in the proper sequence in three steps. Done.

Thats what I was thinking, I am Cam-only, so I wasnt worried about getting studs, but I imagined it was just like you said above.

tadams72 · 12-31-2015, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vroomapunk

Thats what I was thinking, I am Cam-only, so I wasnt worried about getting studs, but I imagined it was just like you said above.

You were correct. Not necessary until you start making big power or start taking your heads off frequently (saves wear on block threads).

Stephen12ZL1 · 12-31-2015, 05:51 PM

head studs can be installed and the head placed on both sides without removing the brake booster. I have done this procedure twice.

12-29-2015, 04:04 PM	#1
Trob85 Svt lol Drives: 2011 ss inferno orange blown Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Topeka Posts: 2,312	Head stud question Anyone out there installed head studs with the engine still in the car? I've heard that it's nearly impossible and you might as well pull the engine. __________________ plasti dip is not a mod.......and a cold air intake doesn't make you fast!

12-30-2015, 06:04 AM	#4
Trob85 Svt lol Drives: 2011 ss inferno orange blown Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Topeka Posts: 2,312	Is it more work to fight the other components than it is to just pull it? __________________ plasti dip is not a mod.......and a cold air intake doesn't make you fast!

12-30-2015, 08:05 PM	#6
tadams72 When is enough ever... Drives: 2006 Silverado 2500HD CC/SB LBZ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Residence: Chula Vista, CA Home: Billings, MT Posts: 996 View My Garage	Not impossible and you don't need to pull the engine or the brake booster or much else besides the valve covers obviously. I've pulled and reinstalled studs, heads, and more with the motor in the car several times. Bottom line, don't waste your time pulling the engine unless there is some other reason. If your just changing over to studs? Do it in the car. __________________ The Project: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS (ERL 427 Superdeck NA Monster) "Just like farmer engineering. Find the weak link and fix it, then find the next one." Salt Cat Racing

12-31-2015, 09:49 AM	#7
vroomapunk [COTW 5/12/14] Drives: 2012 CRT NF Cammed 2SS/RS For Sale Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NOLA Posts: 6,115 View My Garage	Id have to agree, unless there is another reason to pull the engine, do it in the car. I havent installed studs before, but I have had the heads off a few times. Is there a reason you cant put the head in place, then put the rear studs in while the head is already there? If so, it doesnt seem any more difficult than installing bolts. But I guess you would have to remove and reinstall studs next time around, which may defeat the purpose. __________________

12-31-2015, 05:51 PM	#11
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,809	head studs can be installed and the head placed on both sides without removing the brake booster. I have done this procedure twice. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

12-29-2015, 04:27 PM	#2
Soybeanrice Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 793	Can be done. Expect to break your back. You can take out the radiator and stand on a crossmember inside the engine bay

12-30-2015, 05:40 PM	#5
Dustins Drives: G8 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Tampa Posts: 22	Yep, easier to pull it in my opinion.