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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: StangYellow on August 17, 2015, 09:17:01 PM

Title: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: StangYellow on August 17, 2015, 09:17:01 PM
All 8 of my ARP timing cover bolts are the same size, but the bottom 4 holes are larger than the bolts. I haven't been able to find my ziplock baggie of original bolts yet to check them out. Needless to say... I'm stuck. Anyone experienced this before?
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: drdano on August 17, 2015, 10:08:49 PM
Sounds about right, 4 of the bolts are a larger diameter on the bottom of the cover.
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: cjshaker on August 17, 2015, 11:01:42 PM
Typical for ARP. Very few of their "engine specific" kits are 100% correct, so you have to spend more to get the correct ones. Often times they need modified (shortened) also. Their intake bolt kits are often wrong length on a few,  header bolts are too long, flywheel bolts are often too long, front cover bolts as you found out, etc.
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: StangYellow on August 18, 2015, 06:59:30 AM
Oh boy, so I have a lot to look forward to with this complete set. I didn't pay much attention to the cover bolts when removing them, so I didn't notice the difference. Looks like I will be tearing the garage apart for my original ones
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: StangYellow on August 19, 2015, 11:27:18 AM
Does anyone happen to know the length/thread/pitch of these bolts? Seemed to have misplaced these during the disassembly. I called ARP to see if they happened to know about this, and they didn't. I need to call in and order the correct ones from ARP

Block and cover are a '66 390....

Thanks!
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: Nightmist66 on August 19, 2015, 12:27:55 PM
The bottom 4 bolts are 3/8-16 thread and the others are 5/16-18 thread. As far as lengths, I don't know off the top of my head and am not sure when I could measure mine. If you need the measurments right away and no one else jumps in, figure on a good 1/2" thread going into the block, another 3/16" for the washer and gasket,and whatever else the timing cover measures. Good luck. ;)
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: thatdarncat on August 19, 2015, 01:09:04 PM
The original Ford spec for the bolts are 3/8"-16 x 7/8" long and 5/16"-18 x 3/4" long. Also just as a bit of trivia, the originals were a "locking" bolt, they have a small nylon pellet imbedded in the threads to keep them from backing out.
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: StangYellow on August 20, 2015, 06:37:15 AM
That's a huge help guys. Much appreciated!
Title: Re: Different size timing cover bolts?
Post by: cjshaker on August 20, 2015, 08:05:27 PM
Quote from: StangYellow on August 19, 2015, 11:27:18 AM
Does anyone happen to know the length/thread/pitch of these bolts? Seemed to have misplaced these during the disassembly. I called ARP to see if they happened to know about this, and they didn't. I need to call in and order the correct ones from ARP

Come on, you called to find out what type of bolts it uses, from the guys who got it wrong the first time?...lol

Just razzin ya, but I thought that was humorous  ;D ;D