ARP mainstuds 1.6td 204-5402

[myvolkswagen]

how tight are you supposed to get these. I have no specs or anything and im assuming its not the same as factory

[theman53]

There is a wide range, but I would say in the 95 to 110 pound range. Here is a reply from Zukgod that tells his procedure.
http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=21182.15

53 willys went to 80 or something and plugged in the block heater overnight with coolant in it and torqued to 110 the next day. That way it still had a heat cycle, but didn't have the compression forces on it.

Those were both examples of the MLS 1.9 headgasket on the 1.6 block, the fiber one probably wouldn't need quite as high. I would still go 90 on a fiber.

[myvolkswagen]

hmm does an mls gasket swap on with no mods? Thanks for the reply but i was looking for i believe its arp con-rods? I am rebuilding an engine and i have new ones but i have no box to even get an idea. If anyone has done it please post

[gnavs]

I will be picking up a set of 204-5402 mains within the next day or two, I'll post up whatever info comes with it as soon as I can.

[gnavs]

nevermind, $116 for ARP mains has me thinking twice.  Compared to $20 for stretchies anyways, I'd need to remove the crank 5 times before it becomes financially viable for me.
According to ARP's website, torque specs are included with the kits so it might be worth contacting an ARP rep.  Mopac on 16th ave in Calgary has them in stock so they might be able to look up the specs.

[arb]

nevermind, $116 for ARP mains has me thinking twice.  Compared to $20 for stretchies anyways, I'd need to remove the crank 5 times before it becomes financially viable for me.
According to ARP's website, torque specs are included with the kits so it might be worth contacting an ARP rep.  Mopac on 16th ave in Calgary has them in stock so they might be able to look up the specs.

I have replaced my HG enough times now that I should have used the ARP head studs the very first time...

[gnavs]

I think we're talking about different things here, 204-5402 are the main studs, not the head studs.  I most definitely agree on using ARP head studs but I can't bring myself to spend that kind of coin on mains.

[theman53]

SORRY, I saw the 204 and wanting a torque spec and assumed head studs.

For mains I used 12.9 SHCS that I sell at work and torqued them somewhere around 48 I think. Bentley has the spec

[gnavs]

No worries, anytime i see ARP I assume head studs too 

Any more info on these 12.9 SHCS?  Are these a good alternative to ARP studs?

[myvolkswagen]

Would the bentley manual not be for the stretchy bolts? or does it apply to arp too. I really dont want to screw it up and have my engine fall apart on me

[burn_your_money]

Don't quote me but I think that the MK2 mains are reusable. I don't have my Bentley handy to verify that. If they are then you can probably safely swap in 12.9s or what have you and follow the same torque procedure.

[theman53]

Mine must have been switched at one point as they were clearly marked 10.9. Just a normal 10.9 hex head cap screw were my mains, but I wanted a little more strength and went with the 12.9. My bentley had a spec for a normal torque as well, maybe it was for N/A engines?

Anyway, I think the 12.9 socket heads are a good alternative to whatever stock vw was. They are at least 10 percent stronger than grade 8. They have more carbon in them and since mains are subjected to the same harshness of the con rods I think the 12.9 SHCS are perfect. For con rods they might work, but since they are high in carbon and so strong I don't know how they would handle the cyclic fatique.
If interested I can probably get you 10 of the 12.9 for under 20.00 shipped. I forget the size, so if you want them let me know and the size too.

[myvolkswagen]

So all I really got out of this is to torque my arp main studs to the same value that is in my bentley? noone has done this? Also are connecting rod bolts reusable? If not whats a good one to buy

[MJF]

Stock mainbolts are 10.9.

[gnavs]

So all I really got out of this is to torque my arp main studs to the same value that is in my bentley? noone has done this? Also are connecting rod bolts reusable? If not whats a good one to buy

ARP mains are torqued to 48 ft lbs (60 Nm), it says right in the instructions not to use the factory specs but I think that's what the bentley says anyways.  I can scan the instructions tomorrow if you want.