So I have my engine assembled, has been for about a year and is still sitting on the stand. Slow build lol. Setup is a '99 head on '95 bottom.

The head is installed with ARP studs, torqued to 65 lb-ft with the washers that came with the kit. I bought the studs well over 3-4 years ago, so they are the smaller size washers I'm sure.

After recently learning about ARPs redesign with bigger washers and OEM washers being the more preferred choice over the smaller ARP ones, my question is this:


Can (should) I remove one head stud nut, swap in an OEM or larger ARP washer, re-torque to 65 lb-ft with fresh moly, and then do another stud, one at a time until they are all swapped?

Is this even a remotely good idea? What should I do?

I like the thought of not having to replace the head gasket, but I also like the thought of replacing the head gasket instead of having issues down the road with it or the head from keeping the smaller washers.

Goal for the engine is 250-275 whp, and is built with JE pistons and '88 323 GTX rods. Should I even be concerned? I guess ARP redesigned their kits with larger washers for a reason, so I'm thinking maybe I should swap them out.

Thanks.

 

No, no, no. Lots of folks ran 65ft.lbs on the small washers for years, back when that was ARP's recommendation (circa 2009-2010). Lots more did it from 2011-2017, myself included. You'll be fine.

 

Thanks. Sounds like its not a real problem, I'll leave them be.

 

I just bought Mahle bolts from Advanced Auto but they did not include washers. I am hesitant to reuse the old washers (might be a little bit crushed/warn in). Advance says washers not required on their website. Thoughts/concerns? I am only running 14psi on a 1.8 so no need for the ARPs here.
Thanks

 

Just reuse your stock washers. You're replacing bolts with bolts and using stock torque right?

 

OEM spec bolts and will use OEM torque.

 

Reuse the stock washers. Don't overthink it.