Head locator pins missing - big deal or no?

[iangoround]

The shortblock I got back from the machine shop is missing the head locator pins. Do I need to put some back in the holes or will the head studs locate the head properly?

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[135sohc]

I use the studs to make the alignment. Those little pins are the source of many an unknowingly screwed up deck surface.

[cordes]

I use the studs to make the alignment. Those little pins are the source of many an unknowingly screwed up deck surface.

I've always kept the dowels in there, but that sure is the truth.

[boost geek]

I think swapping headgaskets would be a nightmare without the pins I always had to temove my head studs to be able to lift my heads off even on an egine stand, thats with the crappy ARP tapered shank studs which would never locate the heads properly due to the narrow diameter of the stud

[masterjr33]

i have an old set of head bolts i cut the top off of. similar to studs now. just drop the head right on.

[iangoround]

I pulled a set of pins out of a spare block. Crisis averted.

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[bigbarneycars]

You might want to have ah chat with your machine shop. Leaving them out after they've decked the block is poor business practice and sloppy workmanship. They need to spank the idiot that did the work before he really messes something up, Jer

[Dr. Johny Dodge]

have you still got the alignment dowels for the trans too ? - askin; in case you haven't noticed them missing too

+ 1 on the minor B with the machine shop and a good thing you found a set of pins
I think they'll line up the fire rings in the H gasket much better than just the bolts

[iangoround]

You might want to have ah chat with your machine shop. Leaving them out after they've decked the block is poor business practice and sloppy workmanship. They need to spank the idiot that did the work before he really messes something up, Jer

This engine has been sitting bagged up on my stand for nearly a year now. I doubt anyone there even remembers who built it.

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have you still got the alignment dowels for the trans too ? - askin; in case you haven't noticed them missing too

+ 1 on the minor B with the machine shop and a good thing you found a set of pins
I think they'll line up the fire rings in the H gasket much better than just the bolts

I do have those, yes. They were kept safe a sound with the oil restrictor in my parts box.