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Stewart

Stewart

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Had a nice perfect drive in the country and got all the way back to my apt. and made the mistake of checking the mail. Get back out to the car turn the key and nothing. Everything is dead. Push the car around the building back to my garage and find the nut that holds the battery lead to the starter had come off. Then to top it off I find coolant leaking out of the stud on the pass side above #3 cyl. #1 on the torque sequence.

So does anyone off hand know what the nut size is for the starter? Also since the head is coming off are the studs from advance performance worth the dollars? I'm not very happy with the current moss ones.

Car was running so nice too. Solid 75psi oil presure after 30 minutes on the highway temp was right at N and she really moved when the skinny pedal was pushed.
 
Oh bother. The starter nut is a 1/4' N.C. (coarse thread) on the early starters, not sure if it was the same across the years but it's <span style="font-style: italic">brass</span>, IIRC.

Get the ARP studs. They just HAVE to be better. I'd use OLD studs before trusting the taffy ones from any of the "usual sources".

Sorry you're goin' thru "teething pains" with it. But at least ya know it runs out well, now!
 
I retorqed the head last week but I'll try backing the nuts off and bringing it back up to spec.

Thanks for the idea steve.

The electrical is back turned out it was a 5/16th corse. Never would of thought it was corse. Another item that will be added to the stupidly simple things that can get you stuck bag.
 
Personally I'd take it to maximum spec. Remember also that a bit of a leak out of a head stud isn't the end of the world, so long as coolant isn't getting in the oil or vice versa. My MGC has a dribble of coolant from one stud but it's never been a problem. Certainly not worth pulling the head over! Each car's problems are different of course.
 
Steve_S said:
Sounds like coolant. :frown:
Click to expand...

Ick. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

Top of the stud, or bottom of the stud at the block? Bottom, could be the gasket. I know it probably isn't just the gasket, but hey - it's Springime!
 
DrEntropy said:
Oh bother. The starter nut is a 1/4' N.C. (coarse thread) on the early starters, not sure if it was the same across the years but it's <span style="font-style: italic">brass</span>, IIRC.

Actually, the stud and nut are 1/4 Whitworth. A 1/4 NC will fit and work fine even though the thread profile is slightly different. The Whitworth nut is much larger across the flats and makes for a better connection, but a good size flat washer will take care of that.
Cheers,
Click to expand...
 
I revisited the '64 here and see the W I D E R nut! Yup.
Just gotta be aware that th' 90* wire could contact ground at th' case of the starter if ya don't pay attention.
 
I just might consider looking under the head to see if that coolent is really comming from a stud or a gasket. If a stud I would seal it at the block. Otherwise replace the gasket.
 
Turns out it wasn't the stud. Sure looked like it but see part 2 for the answer.

Now the search for a head begins again :frown: Trying to decide if its better to go with another used head or break down and go with a new alum. head.
 
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