Header Bolts
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Joined: Jun 2011
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Header Bolts
Hi;
I'm having a problem keeping header bolts in place. After I drive a bit they loosen up and some have actually fallen out! I've started to use lock washers but they will not fit in certain locations.. Does anyone make a tread lock product which will stand up to the heat?
Thanks,
Joel
I'm having a problem keeping header bolts in place. After I drive a bit they loosen up and some have actually fallen out! I've started to use lock washers but they will not fit in certain locations.. Does anyone make a tread lock product which will stand up to the heat?
Thanks,
Joel
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Texas
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I've done safety wire, loctite, hi-temp silcones etc. with some working fine, others loosening off constantly.
These stage 8 bolts for headers seem to be a great solution.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/stg-8911a
These stage 8 bolts for headers seem to be a great solution.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/stg-8911a
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
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From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
I have used the Stage8 bolts in the past. They work okay, but I found them to be a bit of pain to work with.
I currently have a set of Breslin Split-Lock bolts, which they no longer make, and then Percy's was making them, but also apparantly not anymore. They work awesome. They have a allen head pin, that when tightened down, spreads the end of the bolt, locking it in place. This is what they look like:
I have a new set of headers, and I need longer bolts, so I am going to try the new Proform bolts:
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...g-header-bolts
I currently have a set of Breslin Split-Lock bolts, which they no longer make, and then Percy's was making them, but also apparantly not anymore. They work awesome. They have a allen head pin, that when tightened down, spreads the end of the bolt, locking it in place. This is what they look like:
I have a new set of headers, and I need longer bolts, so I am going to try the new Proform bolts:
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...g-header-bolts
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Stage 8 are only made to fit smaller 1 5/8th headers and they a like the others are kind of phoney. the clip fits against the header pipe.
so where it fits is where you stop tightening the bolt. so if you tighten all the bolts the clips might not fit so you have to back them off.
the Allen idea is better.
Head ARP exhaust studs is the best.
so where it fits is where you stop tightening the bolt. so if you tighten all the bolts the clips might not fit so you have to back them off.
the Allen idea is better.
Head ARP exhaust studs is the best.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
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From: Hermosa
Stage 8 are only made to fit smaller 1 5/8th headers and they a like the others are kind of phoney. the clip fits against the header pipe.
so where it fits is where you stop tightening the bolt. so if you tighten all the bolts the clips might not fit so you have to back them off.
the Allen idea is better.
Head ARP exhaust studs is the best.
so where it fits is where you stop tightening the bolt. so if you tighten all the bolts the clips might not fit so you have to back them off.
the Allen idea is better.
Head ARP exhaust studs is the best.
I would recommend not putting on the retainers until a couple of heat cycles and re-tightening the bolts as the gasket compresses due to heat.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I use the stage 8 bolts on my hooker headers 1 7/8" pipes. The retaining clip doesn't fit next to all the pipes perfectly but are easily modified with a grinder so they fit on the bolt head next to the pipe so they cannot rotate off as they are designed to do. No need to back off the bolt.
I would recommend not putting on the retainers until a couple of heat cycles and re-tightening the bolts as the gasket compresses due to heat.
I would recommend not putting on the retainers until a couple of heat cycles and re-tightening the bolts as the gasket compresses due to heat.
Just a little grinding is what I did until I figured out that they are POS's and I just started studding every head I have had on my Vette. It makes it so easy to hang the FelPro blue steel gasket and then put the headers on . No fiddling with dumb *** bolts and cussing about trying to align stuff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Well what do you do if the bolt is not in the right position to slip the retainer over the hex nut? If you can't tighten it you have to back it off............ Just a little grinding is what I did until I figured out that they are POS's and I just started studding every head I have had on my Vette. It makes it so easy to hang the FelPro blue steel gasket and then put the headers on . No fiddling with dumb *** bolts and cussing about trying to align stuff
I like your idea of using studs that seems like a good solution.
Now I just need a decent gasket. Mybe I'll try that Felpro blue steel your talking about. The one that was on there I could see had almost burned through in only 3000 miles. The way the header connects to the manifold is on a thin square area for each port instead of a nice flat flange.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
gkull are these the type of gasket your talking about?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...make/chevrolet
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...make/chevrolet
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
LOL! I agree it was a bit of a pain. I didn't have any that I had to back off to get it in the right orientation. Like I said I ran it first then re-tightened the bolts then modded the keepers to fit next to the pipe so they could not back out. I guess they could move about 1/12 of a turn or 1/2 of a flat on a hex bolt but that would/did not allow any to come loose in the two years that they were on there.
I like your idea of using studs that seems like a good solution.
Now I just need a decent gasket. Mybe I'll try that Felpro blue steel your talking about. The one that was on there I could see had almost burned through in only 3000 miles. The way the header connects to the manifold is on a thin square area for each port instead of a nice flat flange.
I like your idea of using studs that seems like a good solution.
Now I just need a decent gasket. Mybe I'll try that Felpro blue steel your talking about. The one that was on there I could see had almost burned through in only 3000 miles. The way the header connects to the manifold is on a thin square area for each port instead of a nice flat flange.