pre-Reassembly

[FreeBeeTony]

Preparing to reassemble my SBC.
Dropped the heads off at the machine shop...hope to have them back by next w/e.
​Planning on ordering Sierra manifolds/risers to be here maybe the next w/e.

​Below are pics of how the pistons/cylinders have cleaned-up so far.

 

[Lou C]

Wow that looks 100% better, I'd take some fogging oil spray it on a rag and wipe it all down to keep the moisture in the air from rusting it, seein' as how Long Island is such a damp climate. Head bolt threads in the block look good. Did you get all of the old head gaskets off yet? That's the most persnickety part of this job, getting it all off, cleaning those threads....over and over till its good...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Head bolt threads in the block look good

They would look and feel better if you run a tap down to clean them up .

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Yes, head gaskets have been removed, probably need some final clean-up.
BT Doctur what size threads are the head bolts and do you recommend replacing them w/ new?

 

[Lou C]

You can use APR head and manifold bolts, get em right at SK (Kevin advised me)
Also if you need a good thread chaser set go to
Paramount Tools on Fulton St (Rte 109) in Farmingdale, best specialty tool store in Long Island...they have good stuff not third world junk...

Also when you pick up your heads ask Kevin about the final clean up of the block deck surface...

 

[Bt Doctur]

That would be a 7/16 - 14 nc tap, some use the tap some use a thread chaser . Have used both and found no difference WITH QUALITY TOOLS

 

[FreeBeeTony]

How about using a cleaned-up used bolt to chase the threads?

 

[Maclin]

Need to use a chaser. They are designed to pull junk and shavings up and out as they clean up the threads. Bolts just compact everything as they move in.

 

[Lou C]

Tried it both ways, thread chaser works better less risk of damaging anything. Because sometimes the cleaned up bolt will just stop, then what do you do, force it? Risky. You can go back and forth with a thread chaser because there is a space (slots on the sides) for any dirt and debris to slip into, thereby protecting the threads. I had a few where the cleaned up bolt would not even start to thread in, but with the chaser it was easy. Yours will be better though because you are FWC.

 

[AShipShow]

ive made my own thread chasers many times. Since you cant reuse the old headbolts, take one and cut a slot in 4 sides 90? apart with a dremel cutoff wheel. It will sort of resemble a tap. Its not tapered though, so there is a very low risk of cross threading but will still remove gunk instead of mashing it down.

 

[Bondo]

ive made my own thread chasers many times. Since you cant reuse the old headbolts, take one and cut a slot in 4 sides 90? apart with a dremel cutoff wheel. It will sort of resemble a tap. Its not tapered though, so there is a very low risk of cross threading but will still remove gunk instead of mashing it down.

Ayuh,.... Chevy head bolts are Not torque to yield, 'n most certainly Are reuseable,...

As for makin' yer own thread chaser, I completely agree, done it many times, but with an ole junk 7/16" bolt,...
Not a head bolt I was reusin',...

 

[Lou C]

Tony might be able to re-use his because his engine is closed cooled. My head bolts were way too corroded to take a chance that they would torque up properly....
​They also make external thread chasers to clean up bolt threads on the bolt itself.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Bought a tap last night......

 

[FreeBeeTony]

I cleaned-up my bolts yesterday, they came out pretty good.
Plan on cleaning the threads today.

 

[Bondo]

Sounds good Tony,...

Don't forget to use thread sealant on the head bolts when ya put it together,...
Most of 'em go into the coolant passages,...

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Got ya Bondo..........permatex aviation a good choice?
​

 

[Bondo]

permatex aviation a good choice?

Ayuh,..... I'd probably use the paste, over either of the liquids,...

I think I used plain ole plumbers white paste pipe dope on the 400 I put together a couple years ago,....

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Cleaning the head bolt threads is harder than I thought........even with a tap!

 

[Lou C]

That's why I recommended the thread chaser, it makes it easier, but having some carb cleaner, and compressed air on hand helps. I bought a little hot dog compressor from Home Depot just for this job, it is not for running air tools but is great for cleaning parts, airing up trailer tires, etc.
​After you're done cleaning up both the bolt holes and the bolts themselves, make sure the bolts all thread in all the way.
​PS, I used Permatex Aviation, used about a half bottle on that part of the job! The OMC Shop Manual I have recommends OMC gasket sealer which is the same thing as Merc Perfect seal if you have any of that lying around. The Permatex Aviation is similar but not identical.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

OK....all threads and bolts cleaned.
​Need to do final clean-up on the deck......any suggestions?