Replacing cylinder head studs to APE studs

I did a search but no tips on just taking out the stock studs. I have a plan for this and will be taking the head off only and replacing them with HD APE studs. Will probably be doing this tomorrow after soaking them with the acetone/tranny fluid concoction. Heat up the case around the stud base and try to screw them out. Any suggestions?
Steve

You can double nut them and give it a try. ( Usually works )
Or I purchased the APE stud puller tool from Jay. Always works , but buggers up the old studs.
Next thing Steve is new HD APE Nuts .. I got a lot of years out of the Kaw OEM nuts but when they wore out I went HD APE
Good Luck
Dave

I don't know if you have them on the west coast, but back east we have an auto parts chain called Advanced Auto. They have a free tool loaner program. You pay a deposit for the full tool price and get it a full refund when you bring the tool back. They had a Metric stud puller set for loan. I think the set was less than $30, so I just bought mine. If you need a tool once, there's a good chance you're going to need it again. Dave is right. it still bungs up the threads a little on the stud you are removing.

I used a stud puller from Harbor Freight. It worked fine but left marks on the studs. Double nutting thrashes the threads so I'd rather mark up the shank than the threads...but I suppose if you are throwing away the studs it won't matter.

EDIT: can't find the Harbor Freight tool but it looks just like this one... www.amazon.com/Lisle-71200-Stud-Remover/dp/B0041ESF2G

The only time I had to remove cylinder head studs was on my 350 Honda. They were a bear. I thought it would be easier than pulling the engine. I guess it was but not by much. :dry: If I have trouble I can go to OR or AZ but the concern I have is snapping one being it will be so far up.
Steve

Yes Steve, you will get a good 1/8 to 1/4 flex, turn with vise grips up that high. So be sure your going to do this! I would get a nice new set of good vise grips with nice sharp teeth on the jaws! get it as tight as you can squeeze it! Right on the bottom of the thread area. Maybe tighten a stud nut down to it also. I like the propane torch heat too.
Then go for it!
Worst case scenario is, you would have to pull the block off the pistons

Over the years I have busted 2 studs off flush with the case.
It pays to know a first class machinist.
First one back in the early 80s we jigged up and drilled it out.
Had one snap on last rebuild and also had a busted off bolt in left side of cases.
Lucky for me my very good friend sells EDM machines and had a shop remove the offending bolts/ studs
Dave.

Frightening. :ohmy:
Steve

I have a pro quality metric stud removal tool set. Problem is, it grabs the stud and that makes it easier to break the stud off if you are ham handed. Guess you can break them off with about any tool. I have broken them off and while I have a drill press, it isn't big enough for a case half. Drilling the old broken stud is an exercise in futility and i would drag the case to a machine shop if it happened again. And last, they don't seem to snap in the middle of the stud but snap off at the base.

That's what I'm afraid of. If they don't come out easy I'll move on.
Steve

Could have been a F@!$ed up day with just one SNAP but got it done.
Steve

APE has a neat little stud install tool that does not damage the threads.