Question about head bolts on an 8N -Bolts not studs


That's the first time I ever heard of putting anything on head bolts other than a little oil.
 
(quoted from post at 04:33:57 09/13/17)
That's the first time I ever heard of putting anything on head bolts other than a little oil.

Just one of those little details that make a YT reader engine rebuilder so much better than the average rebuilder, :). There are various bolts/screws on many engines that go into the water jacket so they need sealer.
 
When they originally assembled these old N's, only a dab of plain oil was used on fasteners. Some guys prefer to use Anti-Seize, or some other product, but know that anything that affects the threads changes torque. Even old worn rusty parts will give false readings. Studs are made with engineers call 'interference fit' threads. This means when the stud is screwed into the mating female part, the crests of the threads get pulled down to help form a better grip/seal. the yare kind of like NPT threads. As the male part enters deeper into the female part, they engage tighter with each other to 'cement' their bond tighter. I'd use new studs and new nuts and washers without any thread sealant or Anti-Seize, but this is my opinion and what I do. I prefer to not introduce any abrasive substance that might find its way into the internal engine parts. Anti-Seize is graphite, on the abrasive side. As one of the old members here use to signoff with...

..your mileage may vary...

Tim Daley(MI)
 

When I first came along on YT any leaking head bolt meant "A leaking Head Gasket" DUH!!! Old habits are hard to break. In most cases they will self seal with out sealer. It does not matter how they were put together back in the day they were new all new time moves on you work with what you have now...

Apply a sealer and move on with life, life will be good...
 

I agree with you Tim. Studs with a course thread going into the block, and fine thread for the nuts. If anyone wants to put sealer on the threads I guess it doesn't do any harm. The one thing I don't like about bolts is they most likely should be checked every so often to make sure they are still tight. About half of the head bolts on my 8N were loose and I had to re-torque them. If anything should be put on the threads it should be Loctite 243.
 
(quoted from post at 19:18:36 09/13/17)
The one thing I don't like about bolts is they most likely should be checked every so often to make sure they are still tight.

i've got studs, and i check them anyway. well, 17 of them. once i drop the mower off for the year, i'm planning to pull the hood for some odds and ends, and i'll be able to check that pesky 18th.
 
One more thing, that is the studs will allow you to remove the head without removing the gas tank
(more room). That's a plus over bolts. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.
 
(quoted from post at 23:08:16 09/13/17) One more thing, that is the studs will allow you to remove the head without removing the gas tank
(more room). That's a plus over bolts. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

I have never tried to remove the head with the sheet metal on but I suspect you have that backwards.

TOH
 
(quoted from post at 08:56:48 09/14/17)
(quoted from post at 23:08:16 09/13/17) One more thing, that is the studs will allow you to remove the head without removing the gas tank
(more room). That's a plus over bolts. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

I have never tried to remove the head with the sheet metal on but I suspect you have that backwards.

TOH
'm also suspect, very!
 
(quoted from post at 10:29:18 09/14/17)
Every Old Timer I ever talked to said the best thang ford ever did to a flathead was GET RID OF THOSE DAMM STUDS....
othing wrong with studs....as long as you weld the nut on them! he he he!
 
(quoted from post at 18:32:59 09/14/17)
(quoted from post at 10:29:18 09/14/17)
Every Old Timer I ever talked to said the best thang ford ever did to a flathead was GET RID OF THOSE DAMM STUDS....
othing wrong with studs....as long as you weld the nut on them! he he he!

sounds like needless effort. time and chemistry did a nice job of welding mine on ;)
 

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