• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Do I need to use this head bolt thread "lube"?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JasinC19
  • Start date Start date Feb 6, 2012

JasinC19

What hole is this!?!
Jun 7, 2011
312
2
19
Feb 6, 2012
#1
  • Feb 6, 2012
  • #1
Another preassembly question:

ARP instructions say to treat blind-hole head bolts with

ARP Ultra-Torque Fastener Assembly Lubricant​

http://www.summitracing.com/experta...ARP-Ultra-Torque-Fastener-Assembly-Lubricant/

They say it's for preload scatter.

Do I need this particular product? If any at all? I just found out about it and I'd have to wait another week if I had to order it.... :/
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,966
21,142
234
Box behind Walmart
Feb 6, 2012
#2
  • Feb 6, 2012
  • #2
I've used threadlock. I usually use the blue on head and intake bolts.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Feb 6, 2012
#3
  • Feb 6, 2012
  • #3
arp assembly lube is great stuff. if you dont want to pay for that I would dip the threads in clean engine oil. you wont get an accurate tq value without some sort of lubricant.
 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
Feb 6, 2012
#4
  • Feb 6, 2012
  • #4
The lower bolts (closest to header) need sealant...use black permatex. The uppers need a moly lube or engine oil. Do not use loctite!

Do u have arp bolts or new stock bolts. You should not reuse the stock bolts.
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Feb 6, 2012
#5
  • Feb 6, 2012
  • #5
Yes, it is critical to lube head bolts with some kind of lubricant, and like Rick said, the "outers" need sealant. Lube the threads AND the underside of the head. Your torque readings will be F'd if you skip this.
 

JasinC19

What hole is this!?!
Jun 7, 2011
312
2
19
Feb 6, 2012
#6
  • Feb 6, 2012
  • #6
I have two sets of ARP head bolts (new).

I have ARP teflon thread sealer for the head bolts that go into the water jacket. I'm glad I found out I need to lube the bolt heads though to get an accurate torque reading.

The upper bolts I can just lube up with fresh motor oil? Or should I get something more legit? Can I use assembly lube?
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Feb 7, 2012
#7
  • Feb 7, 2012
  • #7
For me, if I'm building a performance engine with ARP stuff, I'm going to make it a point to use ARP's lube. That said, I have used regular motor oil on other (stock, non performance) engines with regular stock head bolts.

Did the ARP hardware not come with a little packet of the lube? I thought they just came delivered with it.
 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
Feb 7, 2012
#8
  • Feb 7, 2012
  • #8
Nic, Ive recieved some bolts lately that did not have the packets, I do not know of this is a change or not, I have the lube in a large container.

After having some failures with the ARP teflon sealer I switched to Permatex after talking to a tech there. I found the ARP threads to be very sharp and true, at times I have actually dulled them slightly with some emory cloth. I find most factory blocks to be not as tight or true and I have had issue with fluid coming up the treads and seeping....Permatex stops that. The tech told me to use the same TQ setting, Ive done this for years and no issues KNOCK ON WOOD.

You want to put the ARP moly based lube on any contact surface of the nut, washer, bolt or stud and the component so you get an actual torque reading. The ARP lube will give you proper bolt tq, I actually find the tq reading to be pretty damn right on when I measure with the stretch gauge on rod bolts
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Feb 7, 2012
#9
  • Feb 7, 2012
  • #9
That's interesting Rick, I'll have to keep that in mind next time I'm building an engine.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Feb 7, 2012
#10
  • Feb 7, 2012
  • #10
the last set of bolts I ordered didnt come with the lube either. The other kicker is that it was considered one of those things that are hazardous to ship so summit put it on a seperate order and drop shipped it like 2 weeks after I got the bolts.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Feb 7, 2012
#11
  • Feb 7, 2012
  • #11
. Be aware that the ARP bolts have a radiused shank under the bolt head. The ARP washers have a matching radius machined into them. Be sure that the machined radius of the washer is fitted next to the machined radius on the ARP bolt heads. Forget this little fact and you will never get the head bolts to torque down properly.

Coat the underside of all bolt heads with anti seize and the threads of the long bolts. I like NeverSeez that you can get from NAPA Auto Parts, it works great on just about any kind of threaded fastener you can find. The short bolts thread directly into the water jacket and need a different treatment. Use Teflon Pipe dope on the threads of the short head bolts. It will prevent any coolant seepage from around the threads. You can get the Teflon pipe dope from the hardware stores, Home Depot or Lowes.
 

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
301
20
39
Maryville, Tenn
Feb 7, 2012
#12
  • Feb 7, 2012
  • #12
NeverSeez is great stuff. We use it on jet engines quite a bit.
 

txstang84

15 Year Member
May 21, 2005
1,639
42
69
Tuscola, tx
Feb 7, 2012
#13
  • Feb 7, 2012
  • #13
We use the mil spec equivalent on window and preloaded panel fasteners...gotta love titanium screws...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

  • Locked
Engine Might have to get a Dart block but don't want to and if I do, then 363 instead of 331. Thoughts on what I've already bought so far.......
  • from6to8
  • Jul 8, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
470
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 8, 2025
Noobz347
Might have to get a Dart block but don't want to and if I do, then 363 instead of 331. Thoughts on what I've already bought so far.......
  • from6to8
  • Jul 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
52
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 9, 2025
from6to8
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
762
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Doing head gaskets
  • ThinBlue502
  • Dec 30, 2022
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
4K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 1, 2023
Rdub6
Engine Stripped head bolt in waterjacket
  • Blucifer99
  • Mar 27, 2022
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
3K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 3, 2022
chrlsful
C
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?