Anyone using lock washers on their header bolts?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Anyone using lock washers on their header bolts?
Noticed that my header bolts were loose, AGAIN. Short of fancy locking systems or drilling and wiring my existing bolts, is there a better way? Im assuming the simple solution is to use a split type lock washer? (This is going on a Heddman header) This may be a simple solution that Ive missed in the past?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 739
From: Youngstown Ohio
Header bolts loosen by the compressing of the header gaskets, making way for space. I always re-tightened them after about a week's driving and they are good to go. No further problems after that. If you still have problems, Stage 8 makes a good set of locking bolts.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Cant be any worse than what Im already dealing with. My headers are a leaky mess, Im running double paper gaskets on both sides. The Metal ones just dont seal like I need them too. Guess I may investigate the locking bolts, but for now Im going to try a cheap .07 cent lock washer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Fortunately never had that issue use the small head stainless arps/alum heads. Antiseize no washer, regular ol Fel Pro (1404?)
"just" snug them down on new gaskets get it warm in the garage, let it cool then snug them just a bit more.
"just" snug them down on new gaskets get it warm in the garage, let it cool then snug them just a bit more.
Last edited by cv67; Dec 22, 2013 at 01:51 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Key West Florida
i also use VHT paint on my gaskets, spray them very heavy on both sides then install them and tighten, run the engine for a few days, then re-tighten, the paint works like a sealer also, never have had one fail
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
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I'm fighting leaky headers also. I got the Percy aluminum gasket and smeared copper rtv on around the ports. Still got a small leak on the driver side. I even put a slice in the flange so the headers would sit flush
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The only way I've ever found to keep the bolts tight is maintenance. Install and then tighten them every heat cool cycle for the first couple of weeks, then once a week, then just keep checking them. Between the gaskets compressing, the different expansion rates between the head and the header, if you don't stay after them they leak.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
If your headers have a thin flange this could be the reason. Also after initial install drive it for 15 minutes and let it cool off and re-torque .. That should be all you need to do except once and a while check them but the should be ok for a long time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Well, I double gasketed them and torqued them down as tight as I dare go. I think in the past I may have been a little light handed on them seeing how they are just little 7/16th bolts. Ill be keeping an eye on them. My driver side was BAD for a while. All 4 plugs were covered in soot and you can see in the old gasket where the exhaust was blowing out.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Mill Hall PA
If you're interested here is a site about fasteners:
http://www.boltscience.com/index.htm
They explain why lock washers don't work.
http://www.boltscience.com/index.htm
They explain why lock washers don't work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,741
Likes: 1,383
Do yourself a favor and buy the locking bolts....
I used to struggle with this until I bought the Stage-8 kit. I have the Stage-8 locking bolts and I haven't had to mess with my headers since I last installed them about 9 or 10 years ago.
If I was to do it today I would get these guys instead:
http://www.jegs.com/p/Percys/Percys-...42129/10002/-1
The Stage-8 bolts work great ( as you can tell by the time period I mention) but they are PAIN to install and lock down. The ones in the link are easier to work with.
If I was to do it today I would get these guys instead:
http://www.jegs.com/p/Percys/Percys-...42129/10002/-1
The Stage-8 bolts work great ( as you can tell by the time period I mention) but they are PAIN to install and lock down. The ones in the link are easier to work with.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
I used allen head bolts and split style lock washers. Anti seize on the bolts and retorque after 1 heat cycle. No problems and no leaks
I guess every engine is different. I had a ford truck with hooker supercomp headers and for the life of me never was able to keep the header bolts tight. Even thought about bashing the bolt threads to keep the buggers in place.
I guess every engine is different. I had a ford truck with hooker supercomp headers and for the life of me never was able to keep the header bolts tight. Even thought about bashing the bolt threads to keep the buggers in place.
Last edited by spikebot 81; Dec 23, 2013 at 08:20 AM.