Here's a wild suggestion for you, how about 12mm head studs?
I'm fine with metric studs, the problem is that I'd have to drill out the existing threads to install them, then they'd have to be bigger than 12mm/7/16ths.
Another choice would be to drill for 1/2", or for helicoils to fit 7/16" studs, that would actually grip more block metal.
FWIW there is a dissertation on why studs are better on Pg 36 pf their catalog.
Yeah, as I suspected. This would be my first motor with head studs. I'm convinced. I hope I can afford ARP stuff! I hope they have stuff that fits.
I made a web page for the head bolt issue (I put details like this on the web, then I can get to it from work, home or a friends house).
http://wps.com/AMC/1963-Rambler-American/Nash-195.6OHV-engine/Head-bolts/Thanks for the tips! I'm gonna call ARP tomorrow and get the bad news :-)
