smallblock heads and pressed in studs

Jvette73 · 01-10-2002, 02:51 PM

Is it always absolutly nessisary for the tops of the studs to line up on a straight edge? Im aware that pressed in studs can pull out. On this one head, 3 of the 8 studs are maybe 1/16 of an inch higher. These heads had polylocks and I noticed when I pulled the rockers that the setscrew for the polylocks on those higher studs were more shallow in the nut. So it had been put togeather this way. There was no problem with valve tapping or rocker noise. The heads were removed due to a burnt valve. I think maybe when the heads were redone in the past that they replaced some of the studs. If not, maybe it came that way from the factory. If not, maybe they pulled(i hope not). So if anyone knows if they "must" all line up always, please let me know. This is a low buck project 4x4 Chevy truck. I would rather not spend for screw in studs if this condition doesnt really cause a problem on this mild 355. It doesnt look like they have pulled and if they did it happened a long time ago. Please help ease my mind...and my wallet....thanks

yellow 72 · 01-10-2002, 09:33 PM

Low buck huh?
Then why not be safe and pin the studs. You could do it yourself.
Drill thru the stud boss into the stud and drive in a correct diameter roll pin :smash:
That was always a hotrod trick way back when :yesnod:

danno85 · 01-10-2002, 09:50 PM

No, it is not necessary that all the studs be exactly the same height.

Dan

Jvette73 · 01-11-2002, 04:10 AM

Thanks Dan, thats what I was hoping to hear. I did have one person look at them in person. He too said it was not totally nessisary for them all to be the exact same height. I feel better about leaving them this way now. Thev'ye been this way ever since I owned it. Just wanted to make sure. John