Fasteners-Bolts-Washers

Holding It Together: High-Performance Fasteners, Bolts, and Washers for Pontiacs at Butler Performance

The ARP Advantage: Strength and Precision

ARP is the go-to brand in racing for its superior materials, exacting tolerances, and higher clamping force. Butler Performance features ARP extensively across its fastener categories, ensuring builders have the strongest, most reliable components available.

• Superior Materials: ARP fasteners are typically made from premium materials like 8740 Chromoly or ARP2000, which offer significantly higher tensile strength than standard Grade 8 bolts.

   

• Reusable Design: ARP fasteners are designed to be reused without compromising integrity, unlike many factory Torque-to-Yield (TTY) bolts that must be replaced after a single use.

Critical Fastener Kits for Engine Assembly

Butler Performance organizes its fastener selection into convenient kits, making it easy for builders to purchase all the necessary hardware for specific components.

1. Head Bolt and Head Stud Kits

Cylinder head fastening is perhaps the most critical task in engine assembly.

• Head Studs: ARP Head Stud Kits are the preferred choice. Studs provide more accurate and consistent clamping force than bolts because they eliminate the twisting action often applied to a bolt when torquing. This helps maintain a perfect seal between the cylinder head and the block, essential for high-compression or boosted applications.

2. Main Studs

The main studs secure the crankshaft and main caps to the block, managing the massive load generated during combustion.

• ARP Main Studs: These are highly recommended for any performance Pontiac build. They improve block rigidity and ensure the main bearing caps are perfectly aligned and securely clamped, which is critical for bearing longevity under high-RPM stress.

3. Rod Bolts

Connecting rod bolts are subject to constant tensile forces (pulling) at high RPMs.

• ARP Rod Bolts: Butler offers high-strength rod bolts as an upgrade for stock rods, and they are standard in most aftermarket performance connecting rods. Upgrading these bolts is a fundamental step in increasing the engine's RPM limit.

   

Complete Engine Bolt Kits and Accessories

For convenience and aesthetics, Butler offers kits to outfit nearly every section of the engine:

• Engine Bolt Kits: Comprehensive kits, often stainless steel, are available to replace exterior hardware on the engine, including water pump, timing cover, oil pan, and accessories.

• Intake Bolt Kits: Specialized kits to secure the intake manifold, ensuring a perfect seal to the cylinder heads.

• Carb/EFI Bolt Kits: Hardware designed to mount carburetors or EFI throttle bodies securely.

   

• Valve Cover Bolt Kits: Dress-up fasteners that provide a clean, secure mounting solution for valve covers.

• Oil Pump, Oil Pan Bolts and Drain Plugs: Ensuring a leak-free bottom end with specialized, high-quality hardware.

• Washers and Specialty Fasteners: Including high-quality washers to distribute clamping loads evenly, as well as specialized items like Dowel Pins and Crank & Cam Bolts & Washers.

By offering this specialized inventory, Butler Performance ensures that every builder can assemble their high-horsepower Pontiac with the confidence that the critical fasteners will perform reliably, even under the most demanding conditions.