While I have my motor apart and having torqued my factory? main bolts a few times from plastigauging and what not, is it SAFE to put in ARP main studs Without any worries of being line honed or distorting the caps or anything? I have a foxbody mustang and tests have been done when the stock main bolts were replaced with studs it changed the size of the main cap bore, slightly distorting it, and to properly do this it would be main line honed. I know there's tons out there that have done it without problems but these motors have main girdles and are smaller in design. Anyone ever have problems putting main studs in place of the stock bolts? Should the stock bolts be replaced anyway after a few torquings or it doesnt matter?

 

only way to know is to check it.

torque it up with the stock units, measure it up at multiple angles (using a dial gauge)

then torque it up with the studs, and re-measure and compare.

 

I say no, just because its "in spec" doesnt mean the bores are round. From a reliability stand point, get it line honed

 

Well problem is the engine is still in the car, the pan and head is off and wouldnt be able to measure it also with it in the car. I don't have the time or place to pull the motor again, bad enough I'm working out in the cold. If not I'll use the bolts in it or get new factory bolts but was just curious on any issues with the studs.

 

Im sure sommeeonee has done testing on this? They test out everything else

 

I went to school for High Performance Engine Machining, I've measured the before and after on Numerous Honda Blocks, and its always pushed the sides out where the cap hits the block at least .0015''

I'd say just get new stock ones and put them in. Better than taking short cuts causing more work down the road

 

Agreed, thanks...Anybody know of any vendors that would have the oem main bolts?

 

STM carries a bunch of OEM stuff, i'm sure they could source some for you, MAP too

 

I called STM and they didnt have oem ones in stock, only arp studs....MAP only had a few oem things on there website so I didnt even bother, I know they can get it from the dealer but going to ask my dealer and see which is faster and cheaper.

Does anybody see any problems reusing the stock main bolts? I know there's plenty of people that have rebuilt there motor several times already reusing the stock hardware Are these like stretch bolts like GM uses on there heads and stuff? Or like the main bolts on an older ford/gm small block where there retorqued about a million times in its life and had no problems