herrcomestrouble

OK i have built a couple of 302s and had no problems. I have a stock bottem end 302 in my 95 cobra. With trickflow track heat Aluminum heads. In the past I have torqued the heads in sequence 50-75-90 ftlbs.. with no problems. Well I finally got all my parts back last week, attempted to install the passanger side head. Had all the bolts to 50ft lbs. I had 5 of them to 75ftlbs.. and the 6th ( 2nd from back on the bottem) the block stripped out!! so i stoped and took the head back off. Knowing i cant Heli-coil the block while its in the car. I attempted to do the driver side head. First 50ftlbs.. no problem. Then all the bolts at 75ftlbs. Again no problem. But the second bolt ( Middle on bottom) AGAIN damn block stripped out.

I have ARP head bolts. They have perfect threads... except for the fact that the two that didnt torque have the thread from the block on them

What the hell am i doing wrong?... any suggestions?...

Thanks,
Cody

351coupe

Damn bro,u got about as good as luck as I got.Could you of possiby had the torque wrench set wrong?

69Boss521

the ones that are "ratchet-style" that you twist at the bottom to set the torque are notorious for being wrong man. When they go out, they don't "pop" when they are supposed too. I had one go out on me, was set to 60ftlbs and was popping at 80-something.

Leonard

If it was far enough off to strip threads out of an iron block you'd be able to feel that you're torquing it way too much...

Duceanahalf

did you use any kind of lube on the bolts like they recommend?
i stripped one of the 5/16 oil pan bolts in the timing cover the other day but luckilly a longer bolt fixed that

nasdstang

+1 on that. i torqued down my welds, drove down the street, it was like i had a bent wheel, my buddy brought his wrench, not one of them bitches were even close to the same. go figure, clicked every time too.

racingtheburg

I have a bad ass tq wrench cody if you want to retry it////

MiDiablo

From what I understand.... If a torque wrench is dropped, or sees excessive vibration, it will throw off the calibrations of it. So if it's been in your tool box and it's been slung around a while - it could be useless now. Also, if it'd been throw down in between uses, or dropped even. I know my dad got a nice one, and it came with a padded case, to keep it from seeing the vibrations!

Sorry to hear about the misfortune Cod-ster. Hope all goes well, and you're able to get it back up to par man. Miss seeing that lil lady out and about!

Josh

herrcomestrouble

well its a pretty new click type... its snap-on... I hardly use it because its only 1/2" drive. I work on 18wheelers all day.. and I have a 1" drive tq wrench that gets way more abuse than my lil ol 1/2" one. It doesnt feel like over torquing... although im used to 350ft lbs.. not 90... looks like im going to have to pull the block.. heli-coil it.. and try again. If that fails. Looks like i will be going to my 347 shortblock sooner than i thought...

351coupe

Why can't you helecoil it in the car?I did my alt.bolts in the head with the motor still in the car.