Aluminum L98 heads and drilling depth allowance
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
Car: 1989 ASC GTA
Aluminum L98 heads and drilling depth allowance
Howdy..
As some of you may already know, the L98 in my 89 T/A was showing symptoms of a cracked block so on my quest to find a solid replacement I came across a 1991 Corvette that was wrecked with 19,000 original miles. I’m getting close to being able to bolt my T/A accessory drive on however the taps on the head are in different locations from the cast iron head and what I’d like to know is if anyone here has drilled and tapped the aluminum head before and what was the “comfortable” depth of drilling? I’d like to guess 3/8”-1/2” but don’t want to drill into a water passage.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,771
Likes: 1,001
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Aluminum L98 heads and drilling depth allowance
The hole where the a/c bracket stud is fairly thick . To drill the hole mount the bracket and use the hole as a guide. As for the depth use tape on your drill bit. Make it the same depth as the other holes.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Aluminum L98 heads and drilling depth allowance
The 128 heads I have drilled before didn't have a boss for the Fcar bracket. (Have to use sealant on the stud there) ZZ4 heads did, I've also done some 113 (almost the same as ZZ4s) but I can't remember if it had the extra material for the boss.
I can tell you that you can see the extra boss through in the coolant port. If you have the deep boss, bolt on your pass accessory bracket, use a bigger drill bit that just fits in the bracket to locate the center and then give the cyl head a shallow centering mark. Remove bracket, stick correct (for tap) size drill bit in another accessory hole that's close, use tape on bit for the depth, drill and then tap it. Also use a bottom tap to make the threads clean all the way to the bottom.
Takes maybe 10 mins
I can tell you that you can see the extra boss through in the coolant port. If you have the deep boss, bolt on your pass accessory bracket, use a bigger drill bit that just fits in the bracket to locate the center and then give the cyl head a shallow centering mark. Remove bracket, stick correct (for tap) size drill bit in another accessory hole that's close, use tape on bit for the depth, drill and then tap it. Also use a bottom tap to make the threads clean all the way to the bottom.
Takes maybe 10 mins
Last edited by TTOP350; Jan 17, 2019 at 06:35 AM.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Aluminum L98 heads and drilling depth allowance
Drilled ZZ4 on left engine, non drilled 128 on right but you can see circle where the bracket hits it.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 38
From: Lansing, Mi
Car: One owner '88 IROC 50k
Engine: L98 with bolt ons.
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3:42 again
Re: Aluminum L98 heads and drilling depth allowance
I drilled 1/2" deep 3/8" -16 bottoming tap and had worked good for 2 years did not break into the water jacket.
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 427
From: Portland, OR
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Aluminum L98 heads and drilling depth allowance
FWIW - I drilled my LB9 head for the serpentine brackets and (as expected) hit the water passage. You just use some thread sealer on it. Just like a head bolt. It's not an issue really. Honestly everything I've read indicates it's expected that the accessory bracket holes may hit water jackets in that location.
GD
GD
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
88 WS6 TransAm GTA
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
9
Nov 15, 2006 07:05 PM
jonarotz
Tech / General Engine
11
Mar 19, 2003 05:39 AM












