Hello,

Posting in here as more relevant than other sections.

Well I bought a Benson block from Laskey around 15 months ago, and for one reason and another (mainly too bush with customers cars) have only just built it now. All went ok, (apart from a few bits which were eventually sorted at my cost) till I came to put in the ARP head studs. 6 went in as normal 3 went down half way then went tight (finger tight) I removed rechecked etc, eventually used a flashlight and could see damage threads.

It turns out they don't check the head studs. After contacting them and them basically saying its a used block (which they sourced but hey) and use a timesert this is what I plan to do. However the head specific kits are $450, from what I can see the only difference is an alingment tool and extend taps etc. I can weld an extension onto the tap, use a stepped drill etc so plan to use the cheap kit and the 30mm inserts.

My other option is to go for oversized headstuds. I'm probably only going to run 700-800hp and to be honest will probably buy a new block if I plan to go higher.

How sucessful have people been with timeserts?

 

I've never done a head bolt/stud before, but I've used them in a few other things. Spark plug threads for motorcycle being one of them. Timeserts FTW in all situations!

 

I have never used them on the head studs, but I have used them with great results on the transmission/block mating bolts. Good luck on that and sucks you had to go through all that.

 

Yeah, that was some that I used too! LOL

 

Timeserts work great for head studs. used it many times.

 

My golden eagle block was the same way I had it time seryes and haven't had any issues since. The cadillac northstar kit is the same as the honda kit so most local machine shops should have the timesert kit you need it doesn't cost much to have the machine shop do it I thinking had 3 done for $60 here locally

 

I'm in the UK, and a trader anyway, so i've bought a couple of kits to do the job. A shame the people sleeving blocks don't take my car. I don't even machine a block without checking all the threads! Next time i'll install my own sleeves!

 

how did it go?
were you able to fix the treads with the cheaper kit you were going to modify? i ask because im in the same boat. and wondering how it went for you.
thanks

 

thats exactly what ive done before i welded an extension on a tap and just played with the treads until they where clean enough to install the head studs. saved sone money lost some time was well worth it. the local machin shop said i wouldnt be able to phhh....
i would give that a go first

 

Similar thing happened to me, only i supplied the block and didnt bother to check the threads in the mains before dropping it off.

I emailed golden eagle about this problem and said they could do the time serts. So im sure they could help you as well.

 

RickyLee
Were you able to get the job done with the 100 dollar kit?

 

I'm sure I could have, but it was much easier with the other kit. I wasted the $100 as i'll never use the other kit as its a fairly odd side. It'd be pointless sending it back to the Us though.