IMO you don't need studs - but you might want to use the right head gaskets. The Felpro stock type are not pre-flattened wire - per Edelbrock they should be to avoid long term sealing issues. You should be using the Performance 1009s. If those leaked - have the head(s) & block checked for flatness and preferably not by the shop that cut it.
Edit after re-reading... If the egnine blew a 1009 - you have more issues than a clamping problem. What are the rest of the particulars on this engine? Pistons? Actual measured compression, timing setup, etc. What do the spark plugs look like?
Last edited by moper; 08/12/14 02:07 PM.
Well, art is art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water! And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now, uh... Now you tell me what you know.
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