I've read with keen interest over the years the posts from Frank R. and others regarding the necessity of cleaning out the head bolt holes in the block with a tap to ensure proper clamping pressure. I'm definitely in the "I'm going to make sure I do this too" camp <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> I bought myself a M12 X 1.25 bottoming tap based on what I read in other posts to do the job with.

With the heads off I thought I'd just give it a try with simple finger pressure. I put the tap in place and turned it with just my fingers -- after a turn or two it seizes up. It doesn't seem to matter which bolt hole I try it in. The head bolts thread just fine with finger pressure, so I'm confused...

Did I buy the wrong size tap? Will it require putting a handle on the tap? I really, really, really don't want to damage any of the threads in the head <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Help me out here guys -- is there a technique I should use? Do I need to oil the tap? What to do, what to do?

Eric W.