Addressing broken head studs, what should I order?
 

I am putting together a list of things to purchase in order to address some broken head studs on my SC. I am assuming that the pistons and cylinders are ok. I have a vision of pulling the engine and sending the heads out for a rebuild and replacing all the lower exhaust head studs.

While im in there...i want to replace some gaskets at the thermostat and all around the oil cooler. Should I just buy a whole engine gasket rebuild kit? If not, what all should I be purchasing and what can I reuse?

thanks

Once you have the heads off it is not much further to a total teardown, which will allow you to check bearings, pistons, etc. and not a bad idea if you have a lot of miles on it. A gasket kit has all the gaskets, including some not needed unless you do a full teardown. Reuse is dependent upon wear, but generally for hard parts you will need oil return tubes and of course head studs for the broken ones (the original steel ones are cheaper and work fine).

i disagree ... i think it is a lot more work to do a total tear down as it involves totaly splitting the case and the OP may not be comfortable with that .. but hey thar's why we call it a discusion right ?

Anyway .. I would strogly suggest new base gaskets .. you need the uber expensive loctite sealant. definitely oil return tubes .. you will have an opportunity to put the solid ones on so do it . I would just get a whole engine seal kit as then you will have seals for the chainbox cam seals, air breather, oil cooler,
Outside of this replace your throttle bushings, oil pressure idiot light switch, chain ramps,

Personally i wouldn't try toorder eberything ahead of time . get what you can but take your time and make a list as you go ... you will also have the whole CIS off and there is a bunch of stuff you can do there too... You can do a lot without splitting the case

But the engine is 30 years old and if it hadsnt been seam sealed, it should be because it will be his next problem...and you get to see everything.
Bruce

I guess it comes down to comfort level .. :)

Go with steel studs and/or Raceware.....the stock studs are diff top and bottom and expand at a different rate....replace them ALL....

+1!

How many miles? If over 100K I would split the case - do the bearings. I bet you $10 your layshaft bearings are showing copper.

I would definitely do a top end while the heads are off.

I would definitely buy the engine gasket kit.

I went with Supertec Headstuds. There is a whole nother crew that's in the 993 steel stud bandwagon. I liked the fact that that the Supertec studs have a more course thread where they enter the case and a finer thread with 12 point bolts where the heads are. They are also much more corrosion resistant (I live on the coast)

Other than that - i think the biggest challenge is where you draw the line - of while I'm in there.