Don't ever buy an ARP complete bolt kit

[RestoCreations]

Second time i have been dumb enough to purchase one of their kits. The first time it was for a 302 and this time for an FE. I got to use the oil pan bolts and then had to use a combo of the valve cover and timing cover bolts for the timing cover. That is all i could use. HEader bolts are too long, half the intake bolts are the wrong size, valve cover bolts were right, but i had to use them on the timing cover because half the timing cover bolts were incorrect, engine mount bolts to long, and the distributor hold down bolt is the wrong size. all for the low cost of 100.00 If the package had not been thrown away, i would return them. Perhaps i should just stuff them in a ziplock and send them back anyway.

[MaSnaka]

Had the same problem with an intake manifold bolt kit from ARP. Paid around $75 and what really got me mad is the place I bought them from handed them to me when I purchased the manifold. I like you tore open the package and tried the bolts before realizing they were not the right sizes. I was told they should fit a stock FE intake manifold but that's not what I bought. Further to my disatisfacction were all the big signs in the racing parts supply place that stated NO RETURNS. No I don't shop there anymore. I did find a local place that has all the ARP bolts in stock so I just go there.

John

[ACademic]

Same thing happened to me on a water pump bolt kit. GREAT quality parts, but they tend to assemble "universal" kits that are definitely not one-size-fits-all.

[RestoCreations]

Ill sell you all the rest of the bolt kit for 75.00. I figure i got about 35.00 out of it.

[Zoom This]

Yep. Got burned on a water pump "kit" when I rebuilt my 418W. Wrong bolt lengths and had to use some of the remainders for other purposes.

[Mark Thompson]

yup

Mark

[mreid]

This is an irritating problem that has gone on for years. ARP seems to know about it. If you call them and tell them what you need, they will exchange your bolts. 800-826-3045 or 805-339-2200

[SMOKNAC]

I had the same problem, I call them, and they took care of me. I just had to return the wrong ones and they fix me up.
Easy to work with.

[Rick Parker]

ARP is high quality stuff. Too many variations to fit every possible combination in a made up "Kit". Best bet is to look in the back of the catalog, know the lengths you need, Head design (Hex or 12 Pt) along with the quanity and order direct. Works for me.........

[undy]

Their FE kits are designed for iron block/heads and don't "fit" aluminum motors.

Aluminum heads/block motors are a different animal, especially with the intake bolts. The "crate bolt" ARPs just don't grab enough aluminum threads before they pull those few threads out. That's why I NEVER use bolts for my FE intakes. I custom make my own stainless studs. Since doing so I've never stripped an intake thread and it gives me attachment points for throttle linkages, halon systems and the like. They also stay torqued down better, requiring less after-the-job wrenching too. Leaking FE intake gaskets are now a thing of the past

[blykins]

ARP is way overkill for an external fastener. You don't need a valve cover bolt that's a 12 point 180ksi fastener. I reserve the ARP fasteners for the heavy duty stuff like mains, heads, etc. I also use their camshaft bolts and balancer bolts just because I like using new parts and those don't break the bank.

I have another source for stainless steel external fasteners that I use for every engine build. They are engine and option specific, come with a lot more, and are about $50 less.

[mreid]

Originally Posted by blykins

ARP is way overkill for an external fastener. You don't need a valve cover bolt that's a 12 point 180ksi fastener. I reserve the ARP fasteners for the heavy duty stuff like mains, heads, etc. I also use their camshaft bolts and balancer bolts just because I like using new parts and those don't break the bank.

I have another source for stainless steel external fasteners that I use for every engine build. They are engine and option specific, come with a lot more, and are about $50 less.

That is the best answer in this thread, yet!

[Dennis Mosley]

I agree they may be overkill but I do like the fact that with my 12 point bolt kit, I can pretty much dismantle most of the engine with a 3/8" wrench and socket. My travel tool kit got a lot smaller. :-)

[PatBuckley]

Originally Posted by undy

Their FE kits are designed for iron block/heads and don't "fit" aluminum motors.

Aluminum heads/block motors are a different animal, especially with the intake bolts. The "crate bolt" ARPs just don't grab enough aluminum threads before they pull those few threads out. That's why I NEVER use bolts for my FE intakes. I custom make my own stainless studs. Since doing so I've never stripped an intake thread and it gives me attachment points for throttle linkages, halon systems and the like. They also stay torqued down better, requiring less after-the-job wrenching too. Leaking FE intake gaskets are now a thing of the past

I take it you install the studs after the intake manifold is in place?

[undy]

Originally Posted by PatBuckley

I take it you install the studs after the intake manifold is in place?

Yes, it's no different than installing bolts. The studs allow me to use the entire depth of the threaded holes. I picked up a 3' length of stainless all-thread, cut each to fit and slotted the ends with a band saw for an easy install.

[RestoCreations]

Thanks for the tips. I will give ARP a call and see if they will work with me on the matter.

[mdross1]

Never had a problem always ordered only head studs,main cap studs and their rod bolts,everything else was stainless.

[RestoCreations]

Ive never had an issue with their studs, bolts, etc. for the main engine, just the fastener kits for exterior components. I think ARP is an awesome company and they make great products, i just havent had the best of luck with their engine bolt kits for oil pans, waterpumps, etc.

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by blykins

ARP is way overkill for an external fastener. You don't need a valve cover bolt that's a 12 point 180ksi fastener. I reserve the ARP fasteners for the heavy duty stuff like mains, heads, etc. I also use their camshaft bolts and balancer bolts just because I like using new parts and those don't break the bank.

I have another source for stainless steel external fasteners that I use for every engine build. They are engine and option specific, come with a lot more, and are about $50 less.

You may remember that I had a broken oil pan bolt in 2009. It was a b!tch to get out - took me a week and a lot of pain and suffering.

I doubt that would have happened with ARP bolts......certainly not the norm, but just a thought.