<VV> Removing head studs

[BobHelt at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/4/05 9:02:33 AM US Mountain Standard Time, 
pottsf at msn.com writes:

>   Do not cut your head nuts off. Do all you can to unscrew them from
> their studs (apply multiple Vise-Grips to studs when turning nuts, use PC
> Blaster+time liberally). You will probably fail in a few instances and the
> stud will unscrew from the crankcase (this is what you're trying to avoid).
> 

I dunno...It's probably just a matter of opinion and prior experience (is 
prior redundant?), but I don't like to trust studs that are all chewed up from 
having visegrip marks on them. Some of mine looked really bad when I did this. I 
don't know of any that failed later, but It just bothers me to spend $$$ and 
time rebuilding an engine and have studs that have deep chew marks (which are 
what results when you are really trying to prevent a stud from turning with 
one visegrip, not to mention multiple visegrips)

Anyhow, my opinion (FWIW) is to skip the visegrips and let the stud turn all 
the way out. Take your chances on having to replace the stud. Most should go 
right back in and be good. Anyhow, if a nut is that stubborn to remove, it's 
likely that some of the exposed threads (outside the nut) are rusted away and 
might require a stud replacement just on that basis. (check those threads 
carefully)

If, on assembly, a stud pulls out, installing an insert is a pretty simple 
job; and a permanent fix. Sure the kits are expensive, but the inserts are 
cheap. Doing the first one or two insert installations will be a learning process, 
but having to do any more will be a simple job (as in just installing the 
insert).

Regards,
Bob Helt