Header bolt torque?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Falls tx
Header bolt torque?
Im installing SW headers with summit copper gaskets w/ stainless bolts on my lt1 tonight, I was wondering how much should i torque these bolts as to not strip the aluminum threads? I'm assuming it will be a different # compared to the stock specs
TIA
-Chris
TIA
-Chris
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
If you can get a torque wrench on all of the bolts, you're a better man than me! 
I just tighten them all real good, no problems in many, many thousands of miles with the same combination of headers and bolts as you're using. Make sure and retighten as needed after a few heat cycles. After that you should be fine although I recheck them once in a great while if I think about it. 
I just tighten them all real good, no problems in many, many thousands of miles with the same combination of headers and bolts as you're using. Make sure and retighten as needed after a few heat cycles. After that you should be fine although I recheck them once in a great while if I think about it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
If you can get a torque wrench on all of the bolts, you're a better man than me! I just tighten them all real good, no problems in many, many thousands of miles with the same combination of headers and bolts as you're using. Make sure and retighten as needed after a few heat cycles. After that you should be fine although I recheck them once in a great while if I think about it.
I just tighten them all real good, no problems in many, many thousands of miles with the same combination of headers and bolts as you're using. Make sure and retighten as needed after a few heat cycles. After that you should be fine although I recheck them once in a great while if I think about it. 
I took an 11mm wrench, heated it, twisted it 90 degrees, then bent it over 90 degrees. I also ground down the outside of the boxed end to make it thinner. It works great on the passenger side rear header bolt!
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
So it sounds as if you're in the final stages of a header installation and that the reward is soon to come.
