A1 Technologies L19 head studs :notgood:

[BrokenTsi]

So I purchased from A1 L19 headstuds from Maperformance. I first noticed that the nuts are a bit larger than the regular ARP's. I am running a Cometic HG (no copper spray), and my block and head are fresh out of the machine shop.

One of the nuts actually forces its way thru the valve spring. I polished it up a tad because it was taking metal shavings off of the nut. After I modified the nut to pass the valve spring, I torqued the head down and looked it over for inspection.

Upon inspection, I noticed that the nut had barely caught the lip of the shim thats under the valve spring. Needless to say, it cracked it. Now I have to pull the head, pull the valve spring, and replace the shim.

There are 2 valve springs that are having a problem clearing, and both of the nuts for these valve springs need to be modified in order to fit. Has anyone ran into this problem?

Im running Manley valve springs BTW.

Regular ARP's fit with no problem on this same head. Only the A1 L19 nuts just seem too damn big to clear the valve springs.

 

[BogusSVO]

if all you did is "chip" the valve spring shim , you should be fine. Just make sure you remove the chip from inside the head.

as for the issues with the studs/nuts.. I can not give you an anwser.

 

[Strm Trpr]

Is your profile current?
I do not see aftermarket springs.
What springs/seats/retainers are you running in this beast?

The shim you mention is actually called the Spring Seat.

Funny thing is, is that your L19 Washer fits past the spring seat, but the nut is what hangs up on the spring seat? WTF
That means the nut OD is larger than it's washer....

 

[BrokenTsi]

The washer fits like any other arp washer. I have to place the washer down first, then place the head on the block. The nut would fit the same way, except the stud prevents that of course.

If it were chipped, I wouldn't care. But it chipped a huge chunk under the valve spring.

I emailed maperformance about it. Slowboy is sending me new spring seats from manley. (I'm using manley valvetrain)

I'm looking into running the stronger arp's as opposed to A1. Apparently I bought one of the last discontinued sets. Slowboy said they had the only 3 left and someone else bought all 3.

The studs came in a plain box with no paperwork or moly lube.

 

[yokotabrat]

Off topic, but the A1s have been discontinued?

 

[Rob10_99]

Plain box? that's suspicious as 3 kids on a street corner!

 

[BrokenTsi]

Did some more research and I have been talking with maperformance. I need to remove the valve springs on 2 of the valves first before installing the stud/nut. So I ordered a sweet valve spring compressor.

 

[TSIfreek]

What valve springs are you using?? Good to know about the A1 studs.

 

[miniturbo23]

how much stronger are the A1's and why didnt they come a original box or instructions on how to install like the arp do? WTF but lesson learned I guess, next time we wont do that mistake from learning from yours, thanks.

 

[BrokenTsi]

They are alot stronger. They have instructions on the website. I wouldnt NOT recomend them, however its just a straight up install like regular ARP's.

Me, personally, I believe I was pushing coolant due to lifting the head last year. It wasnt all the time, only on race day at 35psi on a T67. A1 studs will fix that. I am in the process of assembling my new engine and I'll be using a BW s366 T4 setup.

All you have to do is place the head on the block, and install the studs. Pull the 2 valve springs that have the clearance issues, torque the head down, and reinstall the spring.

I will post pics and instructions on how to do it. Ive never pulled a valve spring before, but now is a good time to learn I suppose.

Maperformance says that the ARP L19 are the same way. Im sure I could get away without pulling the spring, but I'd rather not scratch the nut on the spring seat and force it past it. I COULD shave the nut with some sand paper to make it fit, but I'd rather install it the correct way.

 

[maperformance]

how much stronger are the A1's and why didnt they come a original box or instructions on how to install like the arp do? WTF but lesson learned I guess, next time we wont do that mistake from learning from yours, thanks.

The thing with A1's is that their studs are custom parts purchased in bulk, thus the lack of packaging or even instructions I'm glad we were able to help you sort it out though, sorry it wasn't mentioned ahead of time!

 

[BrokenTsi]

Its not a huge deal. Thanks for the helpful tips via the emails. They are definitely a quality piece and I look forward to bolting the head back on once my new spring seats come in. If the spring seat didnt crack so bad, I'd be set.

 

[SBR Joe]

Broken Tsi....did it actually bust the whole seat? or just knock off a sliver of the edge of it?

 

[Brianawd]

I'm running Manly springs with L19s and did not have this problem.

 

[BrokenTsi]

It looks like to me, it broke more then just a sliver. If it were only the edge, I would leave it, but it look like it cracked a good chunk under the valve spring, Joe.

From my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, the ARP L19's are the same nut and washer as the regular ARP's. Only the stud is stronger.

I have a set of ARP's and A1's sitting right here. The A1 appears bigger by looking at it. I'll bust out the micrometer and measure them both.

 

[SBR Joe]

It looks like to me, it broke more then just a sliver. If it were only the edge, I would leave it, but it look like it cracked a good chunk under the valve spring, Joe.

From my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, the ARP L19's are the same nut and washer as the regular ARP's. Only the stud is stronger.

I have a set of ARP's and A1's sitting right here. The A1 appears bigger by looking at it. I'll bust out the micrometer and measure them both.

Im not sure, i was just asking because on my A1's it did the same just kind of broke just the very edge of my spring seat off on one valve, the middle one on the exhaust side. the thread inspired me to check mine but its not something that concerns me, its on the very outside edge of the seat. i was just curious as to what the full extent of the damage was on yours.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Yup thats the one. The other one that comes close, but isnt too much of a problem, is the intake side closest to the timing belt.

At first, second, or even third glance, I didnt notice it. But under an LED light, I noticed that it tore the spring seat under the valve spring. I tried to take pics, but it doesnt show it.

As the nut spins, it was shaving metal OFF the nut. It left nice long thick strands of metal that I had to fish out with a magnet. It just put a little groove on the nut itself.

 

[gsxtasy]

I believe the ARP L19's use the same nuts/washers as the reg. ARP's.

This is off of extremepsi's website. EXTREME PSI : Your #1 Source for In Stock Performance Parts - ARP "L19" Headstud Kit: Mitsubishi Eclipse 6-Bolt

*Note: The nuts and washers included in this kit still utilize premium grade 8740 alloy as only the stud is subjected increased pressure. ARP Moly Assembly Lubricant also included in kit.

 

[BrokenTsi]

I got the new spring locators in and they are the wrong size. Ive been doing some research on the Manley Catalog, and apparently, there are 2 part numbers for spring locators and 2 part numbers for manley springs. I was sent
PN 42115 I.D. spring cups for a PN 22115 valve spring, and I MAY have a 22125 valve spring. I need a micrometer to measure it to make sure.

Here are some pics of what I've been dealing with.

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The spring locator on the right is the incorrect one. It wont even fit over the valve stem seal.

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[BrokenTsi]

I hope manley can shed some light on it for me. I am not sure exactly what part number valve spring I have. The valve spring will not fit on the "new" spring locator either.

 

[scottr126]

The spring locator on the right looks like it is for a dual spring setup. If thats the case it would need a smaller valve seal like the hondas use and would fit over them.

I got the new spring locators in and they are the wrong size. Ive been doing some research on the Manley Catalog, and apparently, there are 2 part numbers for spring locators and 2 part numbers for manley springs. I was sent
PN 42115 I.D. spring cups for a PN 22115 valve spring, and I MAY have a 22125 valve spring. I need a micrometer to measure it to make sure.

The spring locator on the right is the incorrect one. It wont even fit over the valve stem seal.

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[BrokenTsi]

I'd rather get the correct spring locator. The spring locator on the right is almost triple the thickness of the one on the left. Does Manley offer a double spring for the 4g63?

My valve spring also doesnt fit on it either. Its too small.

 

[BrokenTsi]

I figured it out. I looked on extremepsi's website and PN 22115 are for DUAL valve springs. I have single valve springs, so I was sent the wrong spring locators. No biggie.

 

[SBR Joe]

yeah thats what my seat looks like. the spring comes nowhere close to it, ive asked around just for peace of mind and everyone i asked agreed with me and said it wont matter. So eff it. If it messes something up ill just go head hunting haha.

 

[DSM_PWR]

Can you take a picture of the nut that came with your A1's?

I bought some L19's from maperformance a whiles back and didnt have aproblem with them..

Im running Kiggly's and had no clearancing issues...