Header Bolt mystery
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Header Bolt mystery
After fighting for quite a while with different header gaskets I finally used the metal ones and they seemed to work great. Four times I did the heat up and cool down and then retighten the bolts and the last time they wouldnt move any further. Today I was doing some work on the engine and noticed that two of the header bolts on the drivers side were completely missing. I know they were tight last time I checked the headers and I haven't driven it much since. Any ideas??
#2
Drifting
Doesn't seem like they should have come out but that's just stating the obvious, did you try locking header bolts? That would be my next step, if not maybe have to re tap and thread. Good luck.
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
That's what is weird. I used the ARP locking bolts and had the allen screw in the middle tight. Each time I did a retorque on the headers they were tight. I guess I could understand them being loose but to come completely out and drop who knows where is kinda strange. I put two new bolts in today. I'm a little afraid to use any locktite on them for fear I won't be able to get them out next time. All the other header bolts are tight like nothing ever happened. just those two.
#4
Race Director
I bet your headers are sprung, this will sound extreme but if you make two cuts on each header flange with a Sawzall or a hack saw one between the first and middle tubes and a second between the back and middle tubes you will see what I mean and it will probably alleviate your problem.
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Might be something I will need to look into. I had a devil of a time getting the two bolts in today. Not a lot of room to begin with on the drivers side but I had to work and work to get them started like the holes were just a fraction off. Finally got them but it was a bit of work. Maybe making that cut would help eliminate that problem as well.
Thanks
Thanks
#7
Race Director
these don't come out
http://www.stage8.com/images/headerkit.jpg
http://www.stage8.com/images/headerkit.jpg
have them on my 85
http://www.stage8.com/images/headerkit.jpg
http://www.stage8.com/images/headerkit.jpg
have them on my 85
#8
Safety Car
After fighting for quite a while with different header gaskets I finally used the metal ones and they seemed to work great. Four times I did the heat up and cool down and then retighten the bolts and the last time they wouldnt move any further. Today I was doing some work on the engine and noticed that two of the header bolts on the drivers side were completely missing. I know they were tight last time I checked the headers and I haven't driven it much since. Any ideas??