Thread: rocker bolt help

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I just had my heads converted from push style studs to screw in(sbc). I was bolting on my rocker arm bolts when i noticed that they would screw in till about 3 threads from the top of the bolt then become hard to turn as if i were about to cross thread. I notice that the bolt had a notch in the thread near the top, but not just one bolt, all the bolts are like this. Is this a defect from my old studs? is it someting comp cam pulled out to stop the blots from slipping? lol should i throw them away and buy a new set of bolts?

Good on ya', Trenchdog. You are quite observant, and are asking questions, and getting a bit of an education for your trouble. This is very good.

As to your "bolts", I gather that you are referring to the rocker arm adjusting "nuts". Yes, they are supposed to be tight at the final few threads, just as Denny explained. I have not looked inside of a Chevy for a long time, now, so I'm not real sure about the "notch" you are talking about; sounds a lot like a standard self locking nut to me. But the stock nuts used to be "flattened" slightly on three sides at the top three or so threads, to tighten them up and keep the adjustment from working loose.

Keep up the good work, and don't ever hesitate to ask questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question; except for the one you think you are too smart to ask.

By the way: I know it is a little late to bring this up, now, but, did you get that header bolt thread problem taken care of while you had the heads off? Just curious.

I think you are missing one thing, Guide Plates. They install under the rocker stud, thus the stud won't bottom out. Is this what you are talking about?

Nope, guid plates are already installed. The rocker arms and nuts are all on too now that I got the nut situation cleared up. Just have to adjust them now with out making too big of a mess:0). Once again thanks for the help This site is worth its data space in gold :0)