I'm detailing my engine compartment and am "thinking" of pulling one at a time and replacing the Chrome Dome Acorn Head nuts with new ones (yet to be ordered). What are my risks? Do I risk snapping a head bolt? If so, not worth it to me; I'll paint them instead.


Any suggestions, advice?

 

Tough call.

Breaking a cylinder head stud would be unpleasant

If you're confident that the cooling system has always been kept in top shape (clean, never rusty, anti-freeze always used) then the studs are probably not corroded and therefore strong enough to go ahead with your plan.

If not confident, I wouldn't take the risk

Cheers
DD

 

Yup, that would be my call. Unless, they are awful, I'd leave them as is.


But, other options.


1. Brush clean and smooth. Not easy, I suspect. brush paint with Fake chrome paint.


3. Hot rod catalogues used to feature chrome acorn caps for 'ordinary" nuts or bolts. I confess to their use on other critters. They do look better.


Would either survive a concours judge ? Not by a long shot.


Carl

 

I may be corrected but I do not think they were chrome by that time--just cad plated. Doug?

 

Correct.

However the availability of chrome nuts is very tempting. Shiny objects and all that

When I replaced the head gasket on my '87 Series III I couldn't resist.

Cheers
DD

 

The most common studs to corrode are the 2 rear ones near the starter motor.
The ones I have seen snap or I replaced due to corrosion have always been those two.

bob

 

I found chromed Dome nuts at ACE Hardware !! (for the valve covers).

 

Leave them there IMHO. I had to rebuild my head after a head gasket failure. We broke a stud putting the head back on. .....cost me a short motor in the end. Leave well enough alone until something has to done.
My engine may well have gone another 100k if we didn't break the stud. But once you break one it's a full pull down.:-(

 

I will heed your all advice and NOT change over to chrome head nuts. Leave well enough alone is good advice. They look fine painted the same silver as the head and the exhaust manifold. The buffed out cam covers make it pop enough. Pics will be forthcoming.

 

interested in seeing how the buffed valve covers look, I need to do mine.

 

quick pic..

i just had the original Nuts chrome plated, and the coolant tubes etc.

 

nice color for the valve covers, very "Ferrari-style".

I totally like the idea.

 

Many car forums have a thread called "show us your engine bay" . If we don't have one here it might be fun (and informative). Mine is just stock so far.