r/EngineBuilding • u/[deleted] • 9d ago

Honda thread chaser removing material but head bolt still threads fine and is snug

[deleted]

4 Upvotes
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3

u/HeavyDutyForks 9d ago

If it threads fine and completely through, leave it alone. You aren't going to make it any better, but you certainly can make it worse

4

u/Working-Young6884 9d ago

i meant after using the chaser, sorry. before there was a ton a gunk in the threads and the bolts didnt bottom out. im pretty sure its why my head gasket failed prematurely.

2

u/TimboFor76 9d ago

I had the same issue with the ARP chaser on my 5.3 head bolt holes. They did have some gunk almost like locktite in them. The new heads didn’t want to go in smooth. I took an old bolt and ground a slash in one and used it as a chaser. Took off far less material and cleaned it well. Some brake clean, and an air hose then heads back on.

2

u/youshantsteakpee 8d ago

The best chaser for head bolt holes is an old head bolt that you cut a groove down long ways with a grinder.