Aluminum heads [message #112699] |
Sat, 22 January 2011 21:51 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106 Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I have been tackling what amounts to a top overhaul on my Subaru ( all aluminum engine for the most part) for the past week. While this might only have minor relevance to GMC's, this board has is the best source of reliable engineering info I have ever come across.
Question - what should I clean the threads in an aluminum casting with and what if any anti-seizing material should I apply to the bolts that would be best for aluminum?
I try to stay strictly to the GMC, but I appreciate this indulgence. I suppose this topic could apply to those with aluminum intakes on their GMC's.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
[Updated on: Sat, 22 January 2011 21:53] Report message to a moderator
|
|
|
Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum heads [message #112706 is a reply to message #112699] |
Sat, 22 January 2011 22:05 |
|
USAussie
Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Randy,
To clean the threads in the cylinder block I would purchase the appropriate
bottoming tap and run it down into each bolt hole. Once that has been done
blow the crud out with compressed air. It probably would be a good idea to
tape off the cylinders so the crud doesn't get down between the top ring and
the cylinder.
The Maintenance Manual for the vehicle should provide the torque and
lubrication requirements for the head bolts.
If it does not a good rule of thumb is to dip the bolts in oil, allow them
to drain, and then wipe them off.
I would not use anti-seize unless the Maintenance Manual specifies it as the
tension on the bolts will be much higher than if oil is used.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Randy
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2011 2:52 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Aluminum heads
I have been tackling what amounts to a top overhaul on my Subaru (all
aluminum engine for the most part) for the past week. While this might only
have minor relevance to GMC's, this board has is the best source of reliable
engineering info I have ever come across.
Question - what should I clean the threads in an aluminum casting with and
what if any anti-seizing material should I apply to the bolts that would be
best for aluminum?
I try to stay strictly to the GMC, but I appreciate this indulgence to avoid
screwing up the engine in my go-to-work car.
--
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
|
|
|
Re: Aluminum heads [message #112721 is a reply to message #112699] |
Sun, 23 January 2011 08:23 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106 Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Thanks. I was concerned about how aggressive a bottoming tap might be. It there a softer thread chaser just for aluminum?
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
|
|
|
Re: Aluminum heads [message #112729 is a reply to message #112721] |
Sun, 23 January 2011 09:58 |
|
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547 Registered: March 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Luvn737s wrote on Sun, 23 January 2011 09:23 | Thanks. I was concerned about how aggressive a bottoming tap might be. It there a softer thread chaser just for aluminum?
|
Randy,
I was actually writing about this when my primary router crashed and I had to install and setup a backup...
When you get a tap, use a handstone (or maybe a small grinder) to take the rake off the edges. You want a square or less edge so the tap will not want to cut any original metal, but will scrape the junk out of the thread. If you can't find a bottoming tap, any tap will do. With the cutting edge less aggressive, it will feel real wrong if you aren't in the thread. You do not want a "chase" or re-threading tap as these are ground to burnish the metal back into place.
If you don't have air handy, run the tap down then use the snout of a can of break-cleaner to blow the crud back up into the rag you wrapped around the tap.
There are 73 significant variables in the torque/tension relationship for threaded fasteners - Cleanliness is a big part of the first dozen or so....
There is no particularly good anti-seize for steel fasteners in aluminum. Aluminum is so electro-chemically active that the bast bet is to hope that the lubricant can exclude water.
Good Luck There
Matt
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
|
|
|
Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum heads [message #112762 is a reply to message #112729] |
Sun, 23 January 2011 15:31 |
|
USAussie
Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Matt,
I always enjoy reading your responses as I learn something every time!
I have been using bottoming taps to clean threads for years and noted that
they do remove parent material but never figger'd out that I could break the
edges to stop that from happening!
Down side is now I have to buy another set of SAE and Metric taps for
cleaning threads. Harbor Freight here I come!
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Matt Colie
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 2:59 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum heads
Randy,
I was actually writing about this when my primary router crashed and I had
to install and setup a backup...
When you get a tap, use a handstone (or maybe a small grinder) to take the
rake off the edges. You want a square or less edge so the tap will not want
to cut any original metal, but will scrape the junk out of the thread. If
you can't find a bottoming tap, any tap will do. With the cutting edge less
aggressive, it will feel real wrong if you aren't in the thread. You do not
want a "chase" or re-threading tap as these are ground to burnish the metal
back into place.
If you don't have air handy, run the tap down then use the snout of a can of
break-cleaner to blow the crud back up into the rag you wrapped around the
tap.
There are 73 significant variables in the torque/tension relationship for
threaded fasteners - Cleanliness is a big part of the first dozen or so....
There is no particularly good anti-seize for steel fasteners in aluminum.
Aluminum is so electro-chemically active that the bast bet is to hope that
the lubricant can exclude water.
Good Luck There
Matt
Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie
'73 Glacier 23 Chaumiere (say show-me-air)
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
|
|
|
|
|
Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum heads [message #112808 is a reply to message #112790] |
Sun, 23 January 2011 18:44 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691 Registered: March 2009 Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Randy
This is the Only forum or board you need to know about. From mechanics to
electronics to ...well, probably brain surgury, someone on here will have an
answer based on 1st hand experience. No theory here lad, it's right from
the horses mouth !
I do have a question for you however, you said, "... in my go-to-work car."
We know you arer talking about a Subaru, but what's 'work' ?
Sorry, I couldn't resist ..!
Mike in Antigonish
--
On Sun, Jan 23, 2011 at 7:05 PM, Tom Eckert <gmcrv1@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes,
>
> I have the Performers - but, don't ask too many questions. They have less
> then 20 miles on them. Originally installed by the PO - a friend of mine.
>
> Tom Eckert N2VWN
> 73 Glacier
> Oakland, TN
>
> On Sun, Jan 23, 2011 at 3:55 PM, Shan Rose <defconfx@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > speaking of AL heads, has anyone tried edelbrocks for the olds 455?
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
Re: Aluminum heads [message #112811 is a reply to message #112767] |
Sun, 23 January 2011 19:06 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046 Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Duce Apocalypse wrote on Sun, 23 January 2011 15:55 | speaking of AL heads, has anyone tried edelbrocks for the olds 455?
|
Shan,
A number of GMCer's have the Edelbrock heads. JimK has installed several -- Some were installed as from Edelbrock and at least one owner changed the valve springs to lower the pressure.
Search the photo site and the forum for more details.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
|
|
|
Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum heads [message #112832 is a reply to message #112808] |
Sun, 23 January 2011 20:57 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106 Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Kingsley Coach wrote on Sun, 23 January 2011 17:44 |
I do have a question for you however, you said, "... in my go-to-work car."
We know you arer talking about a Subaru, but what's 'work' ?
|
Yeah, my wife asks why I call them "work boots" and "muscle shirts" too!
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
|
|
|