ARP Engine Bolt Sets

[timty2]

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences with the ARP Engine Bolt set for RB engines.

This set included most external engine bolts. Head Bolts were a separate set and worked fine.

Practically every bolt except the intake bolts were anywhere from .250 to .500 too short. Specifically, the fuel pump, water pump, header, even the valve cover bolts seemed on the short side. Stock bolts held side by side with the ARP hardware all appear to be shorter.

In all fairness, I did not try to use the oil pan, engine mount, and timing cover hardware (Didn't mess with these, although they appear to be fine.) However, I was very dissapointed that so many did not fit.

The application is a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T 440 (Shown on the left). It does have factory A/C, so the Water Pump bolts may not account for the brackets. But there are a few water pump mounting holes that do not have a bracket involved... Only if the supplied washer is not used, I get 2 threads MAX.

Anyone else have better luck than this?

[JVMopar]

I had the threads come off one of my ARP wave-loc bolts while I was putting the engine together. I torqued the bolt down then loosened the nut measured the length and when I tried to retighten it to measure the stretch the nut just kept turning and turning then I couldn't get it off so I ended up cutting the nut off with the die grinder. Then I e-mailed them and complained. I got a speedy reply and a replacement part asap. I was very disappointed with the bolt though. What would have happened if I wouldn't have loosened it to measure the stretch? I would have popped that motor. Write them and see what happens. Rob Lemons (I think that's how you spell it) is the customer service rep. Hope this helps.

[6 packin]

That sucks to here! Most everything the factory used was good stuff though. If nothing else you can use the older stuff, even the pulley bolts were high grade. Most people including me like to replace the rod bolts and head bolts in performance engines.

Thanks for the inside.

[timty2]

Thank You and your welcome!

Nothing really wrong with the factory bolts, they all work... They just look, well, a little out of place with all these new parts installed!

I will contact ARP/Rob Lemons and see how that goes. I would be happy if they improved the kit and made it right for my next project!