Don't take my statements the wrong way guys. I'm not blaming my engine failure on the main studs, whether they're ARP or any other brand, or even on the World block itself. I had a rod break, plain and simple. No fault of World Castings.

I'm just wondering if the studs have anything to do with the main cap walk and whether I want to spend my money on another World block.

I never saw anything that World said their blocks were supplied with ARP main studs. And they meet the MP specifications which these were made to. Did I miss something?

I did see someone say if you find a defective part during assembly to let them know and they will take care of it.

I think the lack of ARP studs is disappointing, but I don't see anything they did wrong.

DarksideofNY has only 2 posts , new member , first it's Chuck know it's Paul ... last thing I would be doing is taking the word of someone anonymous hiding behind a keyboard.

You guys with World blocks should be on the phone directly with world and not waiting for answers thru the internet .

there's no excuse on a 4,000 block to use anything but 1st class studs. Stevie Wonder could have seen these looked like junk by the finish.Where was quality control ? What will be done about those who lost an engine ? blame their torque wrench ?
For a serious suituation they send a paor of gophers to lay some BS on us. The comany president CEO or owner should have jumped top the forefront and at least made some attempt to take part in this matter

I can't find my spec sheet. I thought someone said that the sheet or advertisement stated arp hardware?

so what kind of studs are they! or didnt he say..

first off I have no dog in this fight since I run a lowly small block but I do remember when World came out with these that every one raved on the fact that there was another option and that World had improved a number of things over all the other blocks such as oiling and 2 bolt patterns for different bell housings and such.
Now there is a problem with what seems like a few of the many blocks that was sold and now World is crap I think that some would say that's unfair.
We all have heard the many horror stories about Indy but we still buy there stuff but we have it gone over by someone we trust so they can correct any issues that there is sure to be I just wonder how this is that much different.
If i purchased a new block and saw that the studs where nor ARP I would address that right then not later and all ARP stuff has ARP right on it so there is no guessing.
Again I have no dog in this fight just my

Its his response that made it all worse.......

i've had my own automotive bussiness for 12 years and i view bussiness as a owner that it's not just one sided as for my financial gain. there are times i've reached in my pockets to satisfy the customer as i'm a small shop and value there bussiness. it's worth it to me as i know that i'll have a satisfied custom that will come back and tell there friends what good bussiness dealings they had with me. it would sure be nice if world products would think this way and see all the good replys instead of what there getting now. if the other studs were so good, why would they change them any how. COME ON WORLD PRODUCTS step up and take care of your custoners. i also have one of there alumn blocks with out the good studs

I saw this thread and started reading since I have a World iron block waiting to be built.
Part # P5153861 that I bought in Feb 2008.

I just went and looked at the studs.
There's no ARP logo on the studs, just on the nuts.

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Paul Kaufman. I have worked for World Products as a technical representative and engine builder for approximately a decade. I have been building engines professionally for the better part of my life with over 40 years experience in both the private industrial sector and performance speed industry. I have been asked to express my opinion ( and that of World Products ) regarding concerns some of you may have with the main studs utilized on the Mopar iron and aluminum Hemi and Wedge blocks manufactured by World Products. World has manufactured several thousand of both the iron and aluminum blocks in the last few years and recently we have heard that some of these studs have failed when torqued. I have personally assembled many of the Hemi and Wedge engines at World Products, and have not had any issues. I would love to be able to say that there are many torque wrenches that are being used that were manufactured in third world countries and that is the problem, but that would be unfair. World Products does not manufacture studs nor do we import inexpensive hardware from China. The studs used on the Mopar iron blocks are to Mopar's engineering specs and our engineers determined those studs to be of sufficient quality for use on World Products aluminum blocks as well. These studs are not ARP. More recently World Products chose to switch to the ARP brand studs, not because we found them to necessarily be better, but to align ourselves with the hardware being utilized on our Chevy and Ford blocks. I would like to point out that over the years I have experienced failure with hardware manufactured by ARP, but grab another one and move on. I have also experienced a rod breaking or a lifter failing, all from big name brand manufacturers, but that doesn't mean the sets of parts were all defective. The point is sometimes rods break, lifters fail and bolts and studs stretch, break, threads gall, etc. It is the nature of metal objects that have been cast, poured, machined and manipulated that a small percentage will fail, regardless of who manufactured the item. If you find one defective stud that does not mean all the studs are bad. As with most manufacturers, World Products has a warranty policy. Should you find any defect in any of World Products parts or components within one year of purchase simply contact us and we will be more than happy to exchange that defective part. If you would like to change out your hardware to a complete set of ARP studs, you can purchase them from your local ARP dealer or retailer. The caps are located by ring dowels and block registers. The line bore will not be affected. The torque rating on the ARP studs remains the same. Thanks for your time, Paul


Wow, has this taken an interesting twist. Let me first explain my position. I have no reason, no hidden agenda, or no ill will against World Products. Have no reason to. I had talked to Paul quite some time ago before PRI and we discussed their engine builder program. It wasnt soemthign that would work for me, so I chose not to participate, as the bulk of what I do is Mopars, and they just didnt have enough other products to assist me in my business. Paul was fine to talk with, and they were at the beginning stages of trying to build up their engine builder program. I alos know that they were NOT building a lot of Mopars out of their shop. I am sure they will say different ( as kind of already stated) , but from one of their employees, in a direct phone call, they simply were not.They are obviously far more concerned with building Chevies. ( and that is fine, I understand).

To come on here and say that we are using cheap offshore torque wrenches, think we are rocket scientists, dont know how to properly torque a main bolt is absolutely appauling.When I say these studs were junk, I am telling you, they were junk. I still have some of them left, so now the thought process should be to go have a stud inpsected at a metallurgical lab, and I bet I can pre-write the diagnosis.

I had another well known and respected builder in my shop when this first came to light. He saw it, felt it, and experienced. So as not to think I was crazy, I took the block to another shop who has a jig bore mill, as I was ready to install Time Sert inserts into the block, as it seemed like the threads were pulling. Although they werent engaging smoothly, I finally realized the threads werent the problem.Once I set up a indicator, and then torqued a ARP stud, and then a World stud, it was VERY clear what was going on. I then inspected the studs closer and it was very evident. My question is now, since they wanted to be better aligned with what they use for their Fords and Chevies, why didnt they just use ARP from the start ?Like they do in their ither engines. I can guarantee you one thing, if Bill Mitchell was building THIS motor,for himself, he wouldnt have used these studs.As you may now realize, I had a ton of time wrapped up in this, making it right.

I am not on a witch hunt. I am merely explaining what I have found. It is truth. Period. I am experienced enough to know the difference. Those of you that know me, know that I dont watse time on the internet in " internet drama" and " internet bashing". I prefer to either just handle things myself, or call the manufacter.The problem is, like many engine builders, your under the gun, have a lot of pressing schedules, and just handle it yourself.I didnt feel from previous experiences with World,( other fellow shops) that they would handle the situation at all. We have now experienced that first hand.

I have had World Hemi blocks, World Wedge blocks, ( cast iron) but have not used a World aluminum block. Cant say anything about those, havent touched one.

Since we are the inexperienced ones, then why would I need to finish milling out several of the water passage holes in the block, repair the large step that was left on the block by the rear main seal area, so bad the retainer wouldnt fit. ( another expense for me)and fix the dowel holes in the decks? I did re-align hone this last block after changing the studs. I simply was not going to even risk anymore issues. Its going in a 7 second dragster, so I didnt want him driving over the crankshaft at 180mph.

In closing, I think their answer is poor. They used something ( dont know whos) other than ARP to save money. I can hardly believe its anything else. ( and that is ok as well, but they should have been of decent quality).I will agree that ANY manufacter can have an issue. ARP, World and so forth. It happens. Its how they handle it that matters. I think you just got a taste of " how they handle it". Basically call us incompetent, internet drama hill billies. Another shame.