3800sc using ARP 234-1001 for flex plate bolts (Page 1/1)
Nytfury JUN 12, 04:19 PM

I have been looking on here and on various forums for info on using the ARP 234-1001 cam bolts for flex plate bolts (I didn't feel like paying $200 for ZZP one time use bolts i'm still in school not made of money). I found minimal info so i figured I'd make this post for anyone who may be curious. I went ahead and bought 3 sets of the cam bolts, and as I expected, they were too long, bottoming out in the crank before the head seated on the flexplate. I did some measuring using the old bolts and determined that the max a bolt would thread in was about 0.540" and the flex plate is 0.170" thick. The ARP bolts are 0.750" long so i needed to take at least 0.040" off to clear. I made a jig out of wood that would let me take 0.065" off (i figured extra clearance is good) and made 8 custom length bolts. These bolts are a bit longer than the factory bolts which i like because they use all the thread available. Hope this helps someone, let me know if you have and questions or concerns.



Dennis LaGrua JUN 12, 07:32 PM
if the bolts fit thats good BUT you should consider using a Grade 8 bolt hardness for them to hold up. Grade 8 bolts are expensive because they are made of high grade steel. Check with ARP for the grade or look at the top of the bolt head. Also check the GM part number as they still may be available.

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Nytfury JUN 12, 08:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

if the bolts fit thats good BUT you should consider using a Grade 8 bolt hardness for them to hold up. Grade 8 bolts are expensive because they are made of high grade steel. Check with ARP for the grade or look at the top of the bolt head. Also check the GM part number as they still may be available.




Your typical grade 8 bolt has a yield strength of 120,000 psi, whereas these ARP cam bolts claim 200,000 psi. These bolts seem to be what most people run for their flywheels on 3800 swaps.
jibby212 JUN 13, 07:23 AM
I am dealing with this also. I ordered ARP PN 3AG625-5CL. They are 5/16-18 x 5/8 12 point bolts. I have not received them yet but I think they are the ticket.
Nytfury JUN 13, 06:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by jibby212:

I am dealing with this also. I ordered ARP PN 3AG625-5CL. They are 5/16-18 x 5/8 12 point bolts. I have not received them yet but I think they are the ticket.



Do you happen to have a link to those? I looked for something like that but couldn't find it, I'm happy with what i ended up with but i wouldn't mind having the link for future reference.
Frenchrafe JUN 14, 02:00 AM
Make sure you use some thread locker.
These bolts backed out on my 3800 with an aluminium flywheel, though it was probably more so due to the small contact surface of the heads of the bolts.

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jibby212 JUN 16, 07:13 AM

quote
Originally posted by Nytfury:


Do you happen to have a link to those? I looked for something like that but couldn't find it, I'm happy with what i ended up with but i wouldn't mind having the link for future reference.



i Ordered them directly from ARP. They said they have not been released yet but can be purchased through them individually.