Reinforced ARP bolts for OEM rods FORD NGA NGB NGC NGD EDDB EDDC EDDD EDDF EDBA EDBB EDBC EDBD

The Ford Zetec 2.0 engine concerned

The Zetec 2.0 is Ford's 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 16 valves (1,988 cc); the NGK catalogue lists it under codes NGA to NGD on the 1993 to 2001 Mondeo, and under codes EDDB, EDDC, EDDD and EDDF on the first-generation Focus from 1998 to 2005; it also powers the European Cougar (codes EDBA to EDBD, 1998-2001) and Ford and Mercury models sold in North America (Contour, Mystique, Cougar, Focus, Escort ZX2, Escape).

This kit replaces the original rod bolt of this four-cylinder: ARP describes it as a set of rod cap screws, without washer, for the Ford 2.0 L Zetec (M9).

Reinforced ARP bolts for connecting rods

At every engine revolution, the rod and piston assembly pulls on the rod cap, and only its bolts hold it against these inertia loads. The original ones are intended for stock power and for a single installation.

This 8740 steel kit fits in place of the original bolts of the standard rods. For tightening, ARP favours measuring the stretch; without a gauge, the instruction sheet gives a torque of 48.8 Nm. These bolts are made from 8740, a chrome-moly steel brought to 180,000 psi tensile strength by ARP's heat treatment; the threads are rolled afterwards. For comparison, classes 10.9 and 12.9 of original fasteners have a minimum of 150,800 to 176,900 psi. The 8740 bolts hold up to 9,500 rpm (calculated estimate).

Technical specifications

Before fitting the bolts, the ARP instruction sheet asks you to check that the bolt hole of the rod cap has an adequate chamfer to clear the radius under the head.

Tightening torque and stretch

ARP gives priority to stretch control for an accurate preload; the torque in the table is used only when no gauge is available. Torque and stretch figures in the table apply with ARP lubricant.

The values above come from the ARP 151-6005 instruction sheet applicable at the date of publication; it is authoritative in the event of any difference. Read the ARP 151-6005 instruction sheet

The ARP instruction sheet does not require a thread locker for this kit; only ARP Ultra-Torque grease is applied, on the threads as well as under the bolt head.

According to the ARP instructions, the big ends must be checked and resized with the fasteners in place; plan a visit to a machine shop.

Measuring bolt stretch

Tightening to stretch means setting the preload on how much the bolt actually stretches, rather than on a torque affected by friction. With the bolt fitted, the dial gauge is placed on both its ends and the bolt is tightened until the stretch given in the table is read. It is the safest method on a highly tuned engine.

Technical guide

Torque and stretch figures are only valid with ARP assembly grease, applied to the threads and under the head.

The ARP brand

ARP (Automotive Racing Products) came into being in the early 1970s, when Gary Holzapfel, who came from the aerospace industry, decided to tackle the engine failures caused in motorsport by inadequate fasteners. Today the brand produces thousands of part numbers in California for the cylinder head, the main bearings and the connecting rods, in materials suited to each application, with manufacturing known for its consistency.

Vehicle compatibility

Why is it the most cost-effective solution?

Pushing a Zetec 2.0 beyond stock exposes every rod bolt to repeated inertia loads: if one gives way, the rod, the piston and often the block are lost. An ARP 8740 kit costs a fraction of a bottom-end rebuild and removes that weak point.