(Sorry, the search feature was disabled so I'm posting blind.)

I just opened my box of fresh ARP head bolts.

They say to *ignore* the factory torque spec and use 85 ft-lb with their moly lube or thread sealer, but to use 135 ft-lb if you use plain 30wt motor oil. I realize that there are differences in lubricity, friction, and so on, but, dang, that is quite a swing!

I like to follow factory specs, but which factory -- Ford or ARP?

Any experience with these bolts?
I'd rather not have a head gasket failure that was my fault.

Thanks in advance...

--Matt




1972 F250 Custom Sport Camper Special 4x2 360 2v C6 3.73
Some day hope to shorten to a 104" wheelbase as part of a Broncification project
My FTE Website -- http://www.clubfte.com/users/mlf72f250/index.html
My Galleries -- https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaygallery.php?userid=1108

 

I saw an ARP demonstration on TV where they measured bolt stretch vs. torque. The ARP moly lube required much less torque than 30wt oil. Go with what ARP says and you will be fine. They know bolts better than anyone.

 

We use ARP Studs in our engines and the moly makes a BIG difference.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the tips. Should I use ARP brand moly or thread sealer, or would moly bearing grease and 3M teflon thread sealant work just as well with those specs?


1972 F250 Custom Sport Camper Special 4x2 360 2v C6 3.73
Some day hope to shorten to a 104" wheelbase as part of a Broncification project
My FTE Website -- http://www.clubfte.com/users/mlf72f250/index.html
My Galleries -- https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaygallery.php?userid=1108

 

I Use the ARP moly lube, it is good stuff and use the trread sealer anywhere the threads go through into the coolant system. You can use moly lube on all the bolts too, it will give you more consistant tourque readings. I just use the moly lube and then use the lowest recommended tourque for the at perticular fastener. Say, book says mains touqued to 85 to 105 I use the moly lube at 85 and that seems to work pretty good.

 

Couldn't find the ARP moly assembly lube in the local shop, but bought a tube of CRC moly-graphite assembly lube and borrowed a tube of Clevite assembly lube. I also got a small tube of Permatex high-temperature thread selant.

Do you think these are equivalent to the ARP products?

I also dug a little deeper and noticed that Steve Christ's book recommends 90ft-lb max for the head bolts in my 360, so I feel pretty good about going to 85ft-lb with the ARP bolts and moly assembly lube.

Thanks again for all the good advice.

--Matt

1972 F250 Custom Sport Camper Special 4x2 360 2v C6 3.73
Some day hope to shorten to a 104" wheelbase as part of a Broncification project
My FTE Website -- http://www.clubfte.com/users/mlf72f250/index.html
My Galleries -- https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaygallery.php?userid=1108