Press in rocker studs

[pinellas50]

OK. I got a set of stock heads that were completely rebuilt at a cylinder head shop. I put them on and within 10 miles both studs for the valves on #2 have pulled out. They aren't completely out but they pulled up at least 1/4 inch. The end result was the rockers were flopping around and I lost compression on that cylinder.

My question......Is there anything I can do about this with the head on the truck or is that head going to have to come back off? I pretty sure what you guys are about to tell me and I know I am not going to like the sound of it. But lay it on me.

 

[Syclone #1721]

Re: Press in rocker studs

They are probably pulling out becasue they used the bake and blast method to clean the heads. They heat the dirty heads whcih carbons up all the grease and oil and they they blast them with an abrasive blaster. The problem is it messes with the press fit in the studs. Heres what we used to do at the shop I used to work at. Go to the hardware store and get a couple of small roll pins. Then take an old rocker nut and thread it on so that the stud is just below the top of the nut. Then take a hammer and hammer down the studs back to where they were. You dont want to damage the stud so adjust the nut high enough wherew you are not contacting the stud. Putting the nut on upside down works well. There should be a mark on the stud where the press fit stopped originally so this is where you want to stop. Then take a drill bit that works with that roll pin and drill through the boss that the stud presses into drilling through the stud. Your gonna want to spend alot of time using plastic and tape to cover the entire area so no shaving go into the engine. When done drilling, clean up good before removing the plastic. Now drive the roll pins into the hole you drilled. This is the on the car quick fix, save time and money way which is known as "pinning the studs". Its very common in the engine remanufacturing industry. Now the disclaimer: if this were my engine, I would pull the heads, dissassemble them and machine them for screw in studs. This will ensure that it never happens again. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

I just found a thread about pinning the studs just as you are talking about. Thank you for that info.

And now I don't even know what heads even came stock on the truck.
http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4966&page=5&pp=15&highlight=rocker Of course I didn't know to look before I gave them as cores.

Was there ever any update on if there were different computers that went along with the L35 heads that everyone was finding on their motors?

 

[turboj91]

Re: Press in rocker studs

If you do drill & pin, you can put vaseline all over the area to catch any metal pieces. Have fun at the CVS buying two of the largest size jars of Vaseline.

 

[Ty 1885]

Re: Press in rocker studs

X2 , you should pin All of the studs, not just the ones that pulled out!

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Press in rocker studs

X2 , you should pin All of the studs, not just the ones that pulled out!

might as well make them screw in then

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

I'll talk to the cylinder head place today. I'm sure they will be happy to take care of the head. I don't see them sending someone over for a few days to pull the heads back off, buy a new round of gaskets, etc.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

The cylinder head shop suggested pinning these 2 studs as well. They said they would be happy to do it for me if I were to take them back off and bring them in. :roll:

They gave me a full tutorial on how to do this along with the roll pins for it. They said if I mess it up I can always take them off, bring them back in, and they can machine the head for screw ins....for an extra $100.

I'll give this a shot. The shop guys said this is actually rather common on these heads.

 

[MRKING]

Re: Press in rocker studs

Im glad you seem to have your truck figured out . Sytys are deff a love/hate relationship .

 

[jwaller]

Re: Press in rocker studs

The shop guys said this is actually rather common on these heads.

yup it is. thats why i convert all my heads to screw in's. even the stockers.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

Im glad you seem to have your truck figured out . Sytys are deff a love/hate relationship .

Oh, I still have that FS ad in limbo. I have this one thing figured out but I still don't know if this head swap will fix the other issues I was having. Time will tell.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

Yeah, so I went through 6 drill bits and none of them even made a dent in the rocker studs. Hardened steel I am guessing.

The head are coming back off and going back for screw in studs. Just adding this for anyone who might think of trying this pinning process in the future.

 

[Ty 1885]

Re: Press in rocker studs

You could buy a kit that comes with good drill bit. Look at moroso or other company.
Are you oilling the bit ?

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

Too late for that now.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Press in rocker studs

Too late for that now.

Why is it too late? What'd you end up doing?

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

They are back at the cylinder head shop getting screw in studs all the way around. At least they are doing that for free.

 

[blk00z28]

Re: Press in rocker studs

I've got 2 set's of stock heads if you need them too..

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Press in rocker studs

Got the heads back today. They ended up giving me another set of fresh rebuilt heads. But instead of screw in studs, they opted to pin all of the rocker studs in both heads. I'm guessing this was easier/cheaper to do and I can't really argue about what they are doing on warranty. This will arrive at the same ends as screw in's. I'm just glad they took care of me.

Now if they would just send someone over to put the motor back together I would be happy.