Let me start another controversy. I am old enough to remember dipping head bolts in motor oil before screwing them in. Yet, my 2001 FSM makes no mention of that so I assume they mean to install dry. What changed?
Oil on head bolts?
- Thread starter Bonnewagon
- Start date
- Status
I've always been told that if you're trying to achieve an accurate torque you need to lube your fasteners. I used ARP hardware and their lubricant for my SBC.
Depends upon the engine. SBC applications go into the coolant space, so they need sealer on the threads to prevent leaks. The GM head bolt kits I have bought in the last 20 years already had a white paste on them. Probably also doubles as a thread lubricant.
I’ve never seen a ‘dry’ spec on any torqued fastener. Motor oil has always been the standard. Any other lube always had its own stated torque spec.
If they say dry and you add oil you will mess up the torque specs. If you lube a bolt you take a chance of over stretching the bolt when torquing it
Last edited:
I can't really help out here I don't think. There's lubed and non-lubed torque specs out there for different engines.
According to my CSM for the 87 V8 Olds, the only two sets of bolts you oil dip are heads with 140 lbs/ft and intake manifold with 40 lbs/ft.
Everything else goes in dry.
According to my CSM for the 87 V8 Olds, the only two sets of bolts you oil dip are heads with 140 lbs/ft and intake manifold with 40 lbs/ft.
Everything else goes in dry.
Mike jumped the line on me, I was gonna say always make sure your bolt is lubed lol!
In all honestly, I usually follow ARP Rex's and use their lube.
In all honestly, I usually follow ARP Rex's and use their lube.
Adding oil to the bolts may cause another problem, the oil drips into the bolt hole can that cause the head bolt to hydrolock with the trapped oil.
A quick check of my FSM's is all over the place. 1968 and '77 Pontiac says no. 1968 Buick says yes. 1972 and '83 Buick has bolts into coolant so sealer is used. I guess it is best to do what each FSM says.
That is why they say to let the oil drain off the bolt so only the threads are lightly oiled. NOT to fill the hole. But dry threads can get hung up and give a wrong reading too. So chase all threads first.
- Status
Similar threads
