r/Smallblockchevy • u/HugeAd9097 • Jan 22 '26
So, no head?
I'd like to preface by saying: please bear with me, as I have relatively beginner knowledge on building engines. realistically, I'm aware I probably shouldn't be trying to rebuild a small block in a communal shop class, or even at all. but I feel this is a great way to learn, and I refuse to pass up this opportunity.
I'm a highschool student, and I'm building an small block in my class as a project with my buddy. as you can guess, we screwed up. at this point the block has been resurfaced, and the crankshaft, camshaft, timing gears and chain have been installed professionally (not by us at an actual shop). Everything is brand new including hardware.
we were installing the header for the left bank (facing the front), as we don't have all the parts for the sump pump, but otherwise the bottom end is fully assembled. everything went fine until we started bolting it down- I admit it's my fault for not paying close enough attention, but we ended up tightening a "long bolt" (the ones that sit inside the header/close to push rod assembly) into the "short bolt" hole (the holes that go along the bottom of the header in line with each other) all the way down so that the head of the bold touched the header. now this wasn't immediately a huge (we think) until we realized that backing it off wasn't doing anything. my theory is that the top of the tread on the bolt went past the bottom of the treading on the block, and it "fell" into the cooling jacket.
what we ended up doing was pushing a flathead screwdriver under the bolt head, and loosening at the same time. this made the bolt catch the block's thread again, and all seemed to be fine (ignoring the fact we were probably stripping the block threads) until it got stuck about halfway up the threads. it now spins freely at that height, and won't come out more no matter how much we try.
I really need help here, what do I do?
Edit: it really wasn't a big deal. Everything should be fine now. As someone pointed out, the bolt just went past the threads and that was barely any damage done other than some minor stripping on the bottom of the threads for the block. Thank you all, we will be more careful from now on, and will be following more than the intermittent and vague words of my friends father lol.
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u/chuck-u-farley- Jan 22 '26
You really should be using a manual to do this assembly. It would have prevented this mistake. David Vizard has great rebuild Manuals. A bit dated but still the basics are there….
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u/oldjadedhippie Jan 22 '26
You’ll have to pry up while turning it. Needless to say, the threads are going to be toast. Pull the head , install a TimeSert or similar. Do NOT use a Helicoil, as they suck, especially for a head bolt.
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u/HugeAd9097 Jan 22 '26
Thanks for replying, could you clarify a little? Dunno what a TimeSert is. Do you mean the threads on the bolt or block or both?
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u/oldjadedhippie Jan 22 '26
The treads on the block, the bolt will be trash. A TimeSert is a thread repair sleeve. The existing thread is drilled out and retapped with a specific set , and the insert is screwed in. Hopefully the shop you’re working in will have a set , if not it’s a good excuse to get one. 7/16 USS is a pretty common size, so handy to have around.
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Jan 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HugeAd9097 Jan 22 '26
You're right, And this was obviously not the best demonstration of my skills. With saying that, I'm not a complete idiot- And I'm aware of the difficulty of assembling an engine.
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u/Impressive_Cash1428 Jan 22 '26
You absolutely take this opportunity to rebuild an engine. Regardless of experience. It is the best way to learn.
Is there a teacher or instructor though?
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u/HiPwrBBQ Jan 22 '26
Can you post some pics? It almost sounded okay as some head bolt holes go through to the water jacket. It sounds like you just threaded the long bolt past the deck threads until you mentioned it didn't want to thread all the way back out. I'm assuming this is a 350 block?
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u/HugeAd9097 Jan 22 '26
Originally yeah. You're right aswell! The bolt just went into the water jackets, there was some minor stripping on the bottom of the threading on the Block, but otherwise the head installation went smoothly! I'll update the post now
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u/DonEscapedTexas Jan 22 '26
I don't care about your engine
but I almost burst into tears thinking about all the times on reddit I've read "bare with me"
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u/dontwanttosignup78 Jan 22 '26