Head locating pins/dowels

**quiksilv** · 13-09-2010, 08:01 AM

Forgot to put the locating pins back into the block when I installed my head the other day. I'm worried about correct alignment of the head.

Before I go ahead and order a new gasket can someone please confirm the locating pins are absolutely necessary (using arp studs too)

Thanks

**Tweak** · 13-09-2010, 08:29 AM

very necessary.
If they didn't need em then they would of never been fitted

**quiksilv** · 13-09-2010, 08:50 AM

Cheers, ordered a new gasket this morning. Ready to rock and roll again.

**allencr** · 13-09-2010, 11:04 AM

Completely unnecessary unless you've got gear driven cams that need some close indexing/locating, or for ease of assembly when the deck isn't horizontal or even when it's flat it just makes it easier to line up the gasket & head. They're for speed on an assembly line to help from fumbling around.

**quiksilv** · 13-09-2010, 12:12 PM

It just seems around the stud holes there is room for movement and I was worried it would potentially allow for the combustion chamber and galleries etc to not line up exactly. Where as the locating pins sit tight in the head so it does not move.

**thechuckster** · 13-09-2010, 12:38 PM

the dowels are essential if you have minimal clearance between valves/pistons & the bore. Also very helpful if you have small oil-feed hole from block thru gasket and into the head.

Also helpful for correctly aligning belt-driven cam pullies otherwise the belt will walk off the pullies.