rocker studs-screw in's

[355shortbed]

i just rebuild a 350 bored .030 , crane energizer cam with lifters an valve springs as a set. i did a little work smoothing the ports and runners out on the stock truck heads  and sent them to a machine shop to accomondate arp screw in studs and push rod guide plates and had them magnafluxed. after breaking the cam in we adjusted the valves  and noticed the bottom of the rockers were hitting the studs so we checked the push rod length and cam up about a little bit over 1/2 too short. put new ones in and noticed antifreez sitting in the heads after running it a while. A guy at work is helpin me on it during the day since i work at night. and he used rtv black silicone. i figured it wasnt going to work, now im getting ready to re-do the studs wat kind of sealant do any of you recommend so i dont have to waste money again.     thanx.

[Captkaos]

Are you wanting info on the stud or the silicone, where did he use silicone?  I honestly don't know what you are asking.

[VileZambonie]

RTV on the studs? 

What kind of rocker arms are you using and what size studs?

For RTV use "The Right Stuff"

[355shortbed]

Sorry i was writing late at work last night.  we used rtv black on the threads that screw in to the head , i dont know if  we could use thread tape or maybe you guys know somthing better to keep antifreeze from squeezing past the threads. this is the first small block ive rebuilt  so dont know the tips and tricks yet. they are ARP studs with harland sharpe 1:5 rockers.

[ccz145a]

I have always used this.

[VileZambonie]

You shouldn't have to put anything on the threads. Were they drilled too deep?

[ccz145a]

So, I still don't think we understand. Are you talking about the new threaded studs, or the head bolts? I was thinking head bolts, that's the only thing that taps into a water jacket.

[VileZambonie]

we used rtv black on the threads that screw in to the head

Since the headbolts thread into the cylinder block I assumed he meant the rocker arm studs. Not sure if that's what he meant.

[355shortbed]

yea i meant the rocker arm studs. they are taped into the water jackets. the guy at work that is helping me had a misunderstanding and thought i meant the head bolts also but after a pressure test it showed that antifreeze was squeezing out  from under the rocker studs . so today i cleaned them and put high temp black silicone around the threads. tomarrow will adjust the valves and see how it does. i just wanted to know if anyone had a better solution before i did it thank you anyways.

[HAULIN IT]

A little late now I guess, but silicone isn't the best thing on treads. A tread sealant (Pematex makes one, as do others) or even pipe tread sealant (the good Gray sticky stuff) would probably be better. Good Luck, Lorne

[VileZambonie]

That's not good. Use Aviation on the threads.