Diary of a Restore (Thread)

[AmericanSavage]

I'm not sure about your 400 but on my 460 I removed the hard to access manifold stud and now use a socket head cap screw (Allen bolt) to clamp that side of the head pipe flange.

This also lets you use a ball end Allen socket to provide even more clearance. 💡

https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n125157/Z1pM3zmcpEx_.jpg

I'm not sure about your 400 but on my 460 I removed the hard to access manifold stud and now use a socket head cap screw (Allen bolt) to clamp that side of the head pipe flange.

This also lets you use a ball end Allen socket to provide even more clearance. 💡

https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n125157/Z1pM3zmcpEx_.jpg

This is a great idea. I noticed that my flange nuts are all brass. This is likely why I was able to get them off so easily—with the help of blaster. If I did that, I would most likely want brass because it does NOT rust to the threads.

I am a little perplexed by the thread and size—3/8-16 or are they 7/8-14? There is a nut one can get that looks like this (below).

The depth of the nut would solve the problem because it would move the ability to grab on it with a socket possible. The problem is it is 3/8, and 3/8 seems loose on my nuts, but 7/8 starts and then gets tight.

Anyone know what those studs off the exhaust manifold are?

UPDATE: I did some sleuthing around here, and at FE and eventually wound up at Dorman—the company states 3/8-16 are direct fit for 351m/400 and also list the year of my truck—sooooo I will find some TALL brass nuts.

Only thing, my 3/8-16 tap is a bit loose for my liking (the 7.8 starts and stops—so 3/8s it is. The 3/8 grabs but there is play. What happens under, say, 30lbs torque?

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'm not sure about your 400 but on my 460 I removed the hard to access manifold stud and now use a socket head cap screw (Allen bolt) to clamp that side of the head pipe flange.

This also lets you use a ball end Allen socket to provide even more clearance. 💡

https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n125157/Z1pM3zmcpEx_.jpg

I'm not sure about your 400 but on my 460 I removed the hard to access manifold stud and now use a socket head cap screw (Allen bolt) to clamp that side of the head pipe flange.

This also lets you use a ball end Allen socket to provide even more clearance. 💡

https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n125157/Z1pM3zmcpEx_.jpg

This is a great idea. I noticed that my flange nuts are all brass. This is likely why I was able to get them off so easily—with the help of blaster. If I did that, I would most likely want brass because it does NOT rust to the threads.

I am a little perplexed by the thread and size—3/8-16 or are they 7/8-14? There is a nut one can get that looks like this (below).

The depth of the nut would solve the problem because it would move the ability to grab on it with a socket possible. The problem is it is 3/8, and 3/8 seems loose on my nuts, but 7/8 starts and then gets tight.

Anyone know what those studs off the exhaust manifold are?

UPDATE: I did some sleuthing around here, and at FE and eventually wound up at Dorman—the company states 3/8-16 are direct fit for 351m/400 and also list the year of my truck—sooooo I will find some TALL brass nuts.

Only thing, my 3/8-16 tap is a bit loose for my liking (the 7.8 starts and stops—so 3/8s it is. The 3/8 grabs but there is play. What happens under, say, 30lbs torque?

[AmericanSavage]

I'd think it's 3/8-16. That's a pretty common fastener size on this era engine.

7/16-14 is used for bellhousing bolts.

I can't explain why your nut is such a loose fit on the tap.

Maybe it is worn from running over a harder, and rusty, steel stud?

Did it seem exceptionally loose when you removed it?

I still like your hex cap workaround--but would love to find brass made ones and I cannot.

I found some tall brass nuts coming and will test them out and let you know about the threads. Cheers and thanks!

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'd think it's 3/8-16. That's a pretty common fastener size on this era engine.

7/16-14 is used for bellhousing bolts.

I can't explain why your nut is such a loose fit on the tap.

Maybe it is worn from running over a harder, and rusty, steel stud?

Did it seem exceptionally loose when you removed it?

I still like your hex cap workaround--but would love to find brass made ones and I cannot.

I found some tall brass nuts coming and will test them out and let you know about the threads. Cheers and thanks!

I don't think you'd find brass fasteners like that anywhere.

The Dorman kit seems popular and readily available.

The stainless Allen bolt is working for me..... for now.

It allows me some more clearance with the Zf-5 gearbox, and I think Gary ran into this as well (before he had his L&L headers)

One thing that seems to be pretty common in motorsports applications is copper plated nuts and bolts for turbo applications where heat and corrosion are huge problems.

But I mostly see them only in metric.

I'd considered DIY copper plating which is quite simple but ended up using stainless steel.

Good luck with your project! :nabble_crossed-fingers-20-pixel_orig:

[AmericanSavage]

I don't think you'd find brass fasteners like that anywhere.

The Dorman kit seems popular and readily available.

The stainless Allen bolt is working for me..... for now.

It allows me some more clearance with the Zf-5 gearbox, and I think Gary ran into this as well (before he had his L&L headers)

One thing that seems to be pretty common in motorsports applications is copper plated nuts and bolts for turbo applications where heat and corrosion are huge problems.

But I mostly see them only in metric.

I'd considered DIY copper plating which is quite simple but ended up using stainless steel.

Good luck with your project! :nabble_crossed-fingers-20-pixel_orig:

UPDATE:

I received the tall brass hex nuts—drumroll please….NOT 3/8 studs on the exhaust. They are most definitely 7/16-14.

So, I was not planning to return the ones I received, I decided to test one to make sure (I received 6 so, why not?). I drilled out slightly, and retapped to 7/16-14.

I then tested on the stud. PERFECT fit.

I thought about ordering tall brass 7/16, but, they are hard to find. Oh you can find them—in packs of 25. Not sure if my drilling out a bit will harm the construction of the brass for torque of 30lbs (I believe that is the spec called for), but I will when the time comes.

Drained the antifreeze today. Have to see how I am going to raise the engine. I think I need to unbolt the entire mount from the block before raising so I can remove it to get to 4 of the plugs. Not a fun project I must say.

 

[Gary Lewis]

UPDATE:

I received the tall brass hex nuts—drumroll please….NOT 3/8 studs on the exhaust. They are most definitely 7/16-14.

So, I was not planning to return the ones I received, I decided to test one to make sure (I received 6 so, why not?). I drilled out slightly, and retapped to 7/16-14.

I then tested on the stud. PERFECT fit.

I thought about ordering tall brass 7/16, but, they are hard to find. Oh you can find them—in packs of 25. Not sure if my drilling out a bit will harm the construction of the brass for torque of 30lbs (I believe that is the spec called for), but I will when the time comes.

Drained the antifreeze today. Have to see how I am going to raise the engine. I think I need to unbolt the entire mount from the block before raising so I can remove it to get to 4 of the plugs. Not a fun project I must say.

Well done! That’s just what I would have done in that situation.

And yes, you will have to unbolt one side or the other of the mounts, as well as a few other things in order to raise the engine.

[AmericanSavage]

Well done! That’s just what I would have done in that situation.

And yes, you will have to unbolt one side or the other of the mounts, as well as a few other things in order to raise the engine.

Thank you Gary, you are the best.

I have unbolted these things:

• the clutch linkage—going to replace with new bushing, new boot, etc so I have taken it all off

• exhaust at the manifolds

• motor mount nuts at brackets

• removed air cleaner

• unbolted dipstick—not for raising, but for dropping pan, and replacing it after

• Trans mount bolts loosened all the way without falling off

• loosened and freed fan shroud

I have enough play in the radiator hose, but I may remove one side top and bottom if it needs it.

The power steering has enough hose slack, so, no need there I do not think. Fuel line is hose to the pump and then clamps onto a solid line—so there’s slack there.

Am I misisng anything?

 

[Gary Lewis]

Well done! That’s just what I would have done in that situation.

And yes, you will have to unbolt one side or the other of the mounts, as well as a few other things in order to raise the engine.

Thank you Gary, you are the best.

I have unbolted these things:

• the clutch linkage—going to replace with new bushing, new boot, etc so I have taken it all off

• exhaust at the manifolds

• motor mount nuts at brackets

• removed air cleaner

• unbolted dipstick—not for raising, but for dropping pan, and replacing it after

• Trans mount bolts loosened all the way without falling off

• loosened and freed fan shroud

I have enough play in the radiator hose, but I may remove one side top and bottom if it needs it.

The power steering has enough hose slack, so, no need there I do not think. Fuel line is hose to the pump and then clamps onto a solid line—so there’s slack there.

Am I misisng anything?

Sorry, I'm on a cruise so wasn't in a position to reply. But it looks like you have it well in hand.

[AmericanSavage]

Sorry, I'm on a cruise so wasn't in a position to reply. But it looks like you have it well in hand.

Cruise to where? Nice!

And thank you as always. Have run into roadblocks though, will relate in another post.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Sorry, I'm on a cruise so wasn't in a position to reply. But it looks like you have it well in hand.

Cruise to where? Nice!

And thank you as always. Have run into roadblocks though, will relate in another post.

NYC to Montreal.... with a little hurricane thrown in just for fun.

Good luck with your other challenges!