[70 nialator]

I know about ARP and also know in most cases you get what you pay for. I have a 70 Chevelle and I already have the aluminum heads setting in my office for it.

My questions are… Is a 190,000 PSI kit that is NOT ARP like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140927676806?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 comparable to the 200,000 PSI kit like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARP-134-400...Parts_Accessories&hash=item25751da47d&vxp=mtr for about 4X as much?

I understand grade 5 and grade 8 bolts.. I also understand (because I know me) that I’ll rip the hell out of the exhaust threads in these heads without a stud package of some sort.

That being said, yes I have torque wrenches and I use them… most of the time. Basically I'm looking for anybody that has done this recently and can point me to a cost effective location with stuff that works like it’s supposed to. If it takes 200.00 for bolts I’m fine with that too….. Just need someone that’s done it to say… all that knock off stuff blows get ARP.

Having a hard time believing that they are worth 4x as much is all……

 

[David Bates]

How important is a quality product and do you want/need it. From the photo, they look a little "sloppy" for lack of a better term and it also looks like the washers are stamped vs. parallel ground that ARP supplies. If all you are looking for is studs, they'll probably be fine but a side by side comparison would probably be quite telling!

I spent the extra money on ARP FWIW.

 

[bracketchev1221]

Just get a set of ARP head bolts and be done. You don't need head studs of any kind, especially in a car with fenders.

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

Hamburger Helper _Pannburger Partner
Dr Pepper_ Dr Check
Apples_ Oranges
CHEAP CHINESE HEAD STUDS_ ARP world class fasteners........

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

Beware discount stud kits. I ran a stud kit in my 427 twin turbo Chevelle - necessary because we were running 25 lb or more of boost at times.

Right out of the box, we had a batch of defective NUTS - and blew a head gasket on the first full power pass. Turned out that the studs were fine, but the nuts were dimensionally and materially defective. they just would not hold torque. Replaced the crappy nuts with quality pieces and went on to run that motor hard for three years without a single further problem.

So, my advice is this: Don't just look at the studs, look at the nuts. That's where costs can be cut.

 

[70 nialator]

Some really strange comparisons and I’m not sure what this has to do with anything….

especially in a car with fenders

but I get the point.

There are about 50 SBC ARP kits and they are all different. Can someone please explain why? Different lengths for different heads?
I’m really not stuck on “studs” for the heads but I really think it might be a good idea for the headers because I tend to get things tight and I don’t really want to wear out the aluminum threads in that area.
While I’m learning.. can anyone recommend a good/great/better than normal set of head gaskets?

 

[70 nialator]

BTW Keith.. I have the worlds fastest 70

 

[number9]

Hamburger Helper _Pannburger Partner
Dr Pepper_ Dr Check
Apples_ Oranges
CHEAP CHINESE HEAD STUDS_ ARP world class fasteners........

My iPhone is made in China. It's pretty good quality...

If you don't want to break the bank, Summit (and everyone else) sell a set of Chevrolet Performance head bolts for about $35. They're for Vortec heads, I'm sure there's a "regular" version too.

 

[Blownchevelle68]

Hamburger Helper _Pannburger Partner
Dr Pepper_ Dr Check
Apples_ Oranges
CHEAP CHINESE HEAD STUDS_ ARP world class fasteners........

I love Panburger Partner

PS-I bought ARP head studs also.

 

[bracketchev1221]

Have you ever pulled an assembled big block Chevy head off an engine while hanging over a fender? Try doing that while wrestling it over 8 inch studs. You will quickly see why head studs do not belong in a car with fenders. If you have a dragster or open body car by all means use head studs.

 

[70 nialator]

Ahhhhh, NOW I see the correlation.