Caterpillar 
Cummins 
Duramax (Chevy/GMC) 
Ford Power Stroke
Acura
Chrysler
Honda
Jaguar Land Rover
Jeep
Mazda
Mini Cooper
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Polaris
Subaru
ToyotaFord 289/302 Head Stud Installation Guide (7/16" Block Threads, 12-Point) — CP897
This guide covers installation of the XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ CP897 head stud kit for 1963–2001 Ford 289/302 small blocks with 7/16" block threads, and 351W 1/2"-drilled applications (12-point nuts). Prefer a printable copy? Download the PDF manual.
Two 289/302 kits — pick the right one. CP897 (this kit) uses 12-point nuts and fits 289/302 blocks with 7/16" threads plus 351W 1/2"-drilled applications. If you're running a 289/302 with factory heads or a 351 head, you want the CP898 hex-nut kit instead. Check your setup before ordering.
Why the small block Ford needs head studs
Sixty years on, almost no 289 or 302 is running the way it left Dearborn. Strokers, aggressive cams, nitrous, and boost are the norm in this community — and every one of those raises cylinder pressures beyond what the original clamping hardware was designed for. Add in blocks and fasteners that have been through decades of heat cycles and multiple rebuilds, and the head gasket becomes the weak link. When the clamping force securing the gasket, head, and block can't withstand cylinder pressure, the gasket lets go.
Head studs are engineered to resist stretching. XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ head studs are manufactured from our premium XOTIC 7200 steel alloy, superior in tensile strength to any bolt, and backed by a lifetime warranty. The key to getting that strength into your engine is accurate preload — the tensile force generated when a fastener is tightened, creating clamp force in the joint. Everything in this guide is in service of achieving equal, accurate preload across all 20 studs.
What's in the CP897 kit
- 20 × head studs (XOTIC 7200 alloy)
- 20 × hardened parallel washers
- 20 × 12-point nuts
- 1 × socket
- 1 × allen wrench
- 1 × fastener assembly lubricant
Before you start: verify first
Confirm that part number CP897 is compatible with your application (1963–2001 Ford 289/302 with 7/16" block threads, or 351W 1/2"-drilled) before installing any components. Inspect all package contents and clean as necessary to ensure accurate installation. Report any obvious defects or shipping damage to us before proceeding.
How to install head studs on a Ford 289/302
- Clean the block threads. Clean the threads in the block prior to installing the studs to ensure proper fitment and accurate torque readings. For the 289/302's 7/16"-14 block threads, use our 7/16"-14 thread chaser (CS314).
- Install the studs hand-tight. Thread the head studs into the block by hand until snug. Do not apply torque.
- Check stud height with a straightedge. Use a straightedge ruler to measure the distance from the mating surface (deck or main cap) to the top of each installed stud. Ensure all studs of the same length group sit level with each other (within 1 mm / 0.040”). Uneven height may indicate debris or incorrect thread engagement. Properly installed studs will bottom out smoothly and show uniform height across all positions. If a stud appears higher or lower than the others, remove it, re-clean the hole, and reinstall by hand. Do not use tools to force studs deeper. Incorrect stud seating can cause off-angle stress, uneven preload, or stud fracture during engine operation.
- Set the gasket and head. Install the head gasket and cylinder head, ensuring proper alignment.
- Clean the washer seating areas. Clean the washer seating surfaces on the cylinder head with a fast-evaporating solvent such as non-chlorinated brake cleaner to remove oil, grease, and contaminants. A clean surface is essential for achieving proper fastener preload.
- Lubricate. Using the supplied fastener assembly lubricant, lubricate the stud threads and the bottom surface of the nuts.
- Install the nuts. Thread the nuts onto the studs and hand-tighten until they make contact with the washers.
- Torque in sequence. Follow the torque stages below in the numbered sequence shown in the manual's torque sequence diagram, then repeat on the second bank.
Ford 289/302 head stud torque specs
| Stage | Torque |
|---|---|
| 1 | 30 ft-lbs |
| 2 | 60 ft-lbs |
| 3 (final) | 90 ft-lbs |
A common mistake to avoid: when torquing a fastener, do not stop short of the recommended value — continue in one motion until the specified torque is achieved. If you accidentally stop short, loosen the fastener and re-torque. Stopping short and "topping up" produces unequal preload distribution across the studs and risks joint failure.
Frequently asked questions
What are the torque specs for Ford 289/302 head studs?
Three stages, in the numbered sequence: 30 ft-lbs, then 60 ft-lbs, then a final pass at 90 ft-lbs.
Do I need the 12-point (CP897) or hex (CP898) kit?
CP897 uses 12-point nuts and fits 289/302 blocks with 7/16" threads and 351W 1/2"-drilled applications. CP898 uses hex nuts for 289/302 engines running factory heads or a 351 head. If in doubt, email us your setup before ordering.
Does this kit work with a 351W?
It covers 351W 1/2"-drilled applications — see the fitment notes in the manual, and verify your specific combination before ordering.
What size thread chaser do I need?
7/16"-14 — the CS314 chaser matches the 289/302 block threads.
Need help?
For technical support, email support@xotic-performance.com. All XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ fasteners are covered by our limited lifetime warranty. Finished your install? Tag #XOTICPERFORMANCE on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
© 2026 XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. This installation guide is an original copyrighted work of XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. Reproduction, distribution, or use of this content in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Doc ref: 2026.01.31 (web edition 2026.08).
Leave a comment