Learned a very important lesson today.

[wild_maxx]

REPLACE YOUR MAIN STUDS!!!

I began assembling my bottom end today (just crank) and as i was doing my final torque of all main bolts to 56 ft. lbs. the center main bolt snapped in two....

I did my first torque with oil on the bolts as i torqed them down... got my plastigauge reading( 1&1/2 thousandth) I torqued them all down at 35 lbs. first then the second time around at 56 ft. lbs... thats when it snapped.

I am glad this happened now instead of after i got it all running and destroyed my engine (including a new set of the turbo240 rods & arias pistons)

SO PLEASE JUST REPLACE THE MAIN BOLTS... SAVE THE TIME AND MONEY NOW!

[1WheelWonder]

Thats definately good that it happened now instead of down the road.

[wild_maxx]

yes it is One question... are the DE and E ARP main studs the same?

[MarkEmark]

Damn, good thing you caught it before it was too late...

And I thought that it was generally believed beforehand that for low boost-build (under 350 hp), it's not necessary to replace the main studs in a KA. Looks like you proved that wrong, just the way I proved wrong the myth that stock block KA's can make 350 whp w/o upgraded rods or pistons...Good info.

Glad I have my ARPs

[wild_maxx]

yep thats what i will be ordering. I am glad i got one of the last sets of turbo240 rods now i can boost without worry that my stock rods will break! and for 572.00 shipped... can't beat that guys!

[j-z]

i only went with arp head studs. im still gonna use the stock mains though. your situation looks like a one time fluke. im shootin for 400 at the wheels.

[KATwo40]

I would think a new set of stock main bolts would be ok, but now I'm worried...

My goal is also 400-420whp.

[wild_maxx]

they way i see it... might as well spend the extra cash now and prevent any failure and destroy the entire engine. In the advertiser special section they have arp studs on sale! go get them

[420sxse]

Spend now, save later. Yupyup. Of course, I can see my own future, because I'm prescient like that. My built block is going to blow, just to spite my confidence and the wad (way too much) I have spent on it Luck runs both ways, but why take that risk? Chance favors the prepped block.

[wild_maxx]