Did Chevy use special head bolts or, perhaps, washers under the bolt heads when attaching these heads to the block? I assume they did one or the other since the heads are made out of aluminum.

Thanks in advance.

 

Some are longer bolts, with all having flat washers. They weren't much longer then standard SBC head bolts. Maybe an 1/16" longer, appeared to be enough to make up for the thickness of the flat washer.

RBob.

 

Thanks, Bob. You got right down to what I was REALLY concerned about- added bolt length. I measured the length of the bolt holes on the L98s I have and compared them to a set of typical -882 cast iron heads.... they're exactly the same. So, if I use a washer under a typical (standard length) bolt set, that's going to leave less thread engagement in the block.

I just don't have the budget on this motor for a new/oddball set of head bolts. This is a "zero dollar build" and I'm already $500 over budget. So it's either run them without washers and gall up the heads a little or run the washers and hope the extra bolt length doesn't cause a head gasket sealing problem.

Your thoughts?

 

My thought is I'd rather deal with a potential head gasket sealing problem, than galled/damaged heads...while neither is a lot of fun, metal damage would likely be more difficult and expensive to fix.

 

Here are the lengths from a '90s vintage performance parts catalog. They are all 7/16-14 thread:

Iron head, no washer:

Short: 1.75", 16 required
Medium: 3.00", 4 required
Long: 3.75", 14 required

Aluminum head ('113):

Short: 1.75", 16 required
Medium: 3.062", 4 required
Long: 3.8125", 14 required

On a budget, I'd probably get some AN washers to put under the heads of stock bolts.

RBob.

 

"Last remaining QJet tuner on planet Earth!"


Not meaning to hijack the thread, but I liked your sig...my father used to say the same thing, people used to come from all over to have him work on their Quadrajets. He passed away two years ago.

 

Thanks for the info, guys. I like the AN washer idea. That might be the winning solution for this low-buck effort.

Galaxie- I'm sorry to hear about your father's passing. Especially since he was a senior member of the 'Loyal Order of QuadraJets'. I use those carbs all the time. Been fixing and tuning them since I was 14 (I'm now 47). Best street/strip carb ever invented, if you know what you're doing with them. "The poor man's fuel injection." Only 4bbl carb I could afford when I was a teenager ($20 at a junkyard) so I had to learn quick how to make them hang with the more popular Holleys. I've helped out members here and on other boards I frequent. It's become a bit of a cottage industry for me, as I'm sure it was for your father. My longest-distance customer lives in Istanbul, Turkey, believe it or not. The carb that's going to go on the "zero budget" motor these heads are gonna sit on top of will be.... you guessed it- a QuadraJet.

 

As far as I know, we are the only shop in our area that still does carbs. In the last year, I have rebuilt and tuned a number of Q-jets, the typical Carter AFBs(Edelbrock performer), Holleys, a few 4GCs, one on a gorgeous '55 3100 pickup, various one and two barrels , from antiques to electronic feedback, and the Rochester Ramjet fuel injection on a museum piece 63 Vette Stingray. That was fun, and the joy of hearing it run perfect, along with several miles of road testing, was worth every minute of work and every drop of sweat trying my best to make it perfect.

We keep a stock of Q-jet cores in our upstairs storage, along with power valves, springs, rods and jets, and hangers. Now and then someone comes in with a GM V8 on which some well meaning wrench has tossed the original Q-jet in favor of an aftermarket, never will run right, piece of polished crap. I will build them an application correct unit from my parts. I also ask anyone who is set on installing an aftermarket carb, after I spend the time to dial in their new carb to run anywhere near as well as the Q-jet would have, to please bring me their original Q-jet to add to my collection.

 

Ya', I know it's an old post,..... But I just realized this myself. I pulled a set of 113 heads off a factory original Corvette a couple weeks back and was going to leave the hardware behind thinking; "why do I need another set of head bolts - just something else I'll have to pay for". Then I realized that all the bolts had washers on them and figured it was worth taking them while I had the full set in front of me. Now; I'm real glad that I didn't leave them behind !

 

GM changed the head bolts a few yrs ago around the zz4 release and now aren't using loose washers. They are using a smaller head with a built in washer for both aluminum and iron heads.

 

That sure is nice lookin' engine ! I wish my factory heads had all those accessory bolt holes already !!