LT1 Header bolt and gasket recommendations
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 5
From: Ypsilanti MI
Cruise-In 10-11-12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'14
LT1 Header bolt and gasket recommendations
I'm getting ready to install a set of JBA headers and in looking at the gaskets and bolts, I'm wondering if I would be better off replacing them with something else to minimize issues later on. The bolts are regular hex head with lock washers and the gaskets appear to be a felt like material with a thin aluminum core.
What do you recommend for bolts and gaskets, including part numbers if you know them? Would copper or aluminum gaskets be a better option and what about locking header bolts?
Thanks,
Preston
What do you recommend for bolts and gaskets, including part numbers if you know them? Would copper or aluminum gaskets be a better option and what about locking header bolts?
Thanks,
Preston
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 1
I have used these for years. Been very successful, and never leaked.
http://www.streetperformance.com/par...03-29da3b.html
I use standard 12 point 1 inch arp header bolts. Chrome is pretty , but black works just fine.
http://www.streetperformance.com/par...03-29da3b.html
I use standard 12 point 1 inch arp header bolts. Chrome is pretty , but black works just fine.
Last edited by Charleston2012; Feb 16, 2011 at 12:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 5
From: Ypsilanti MI
Cruise-In 10-11-12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'14
I have used these for years. Been very successful, and never leaked.
http://www.streetperformance.com/par...03-29da3b.html
I use standard 12 point 1 inch arp header bolts. Chrome is pretty , but black works just fine.
http://www.streetperformance.com/par...03-29da3b.html
I use standard 12 point 1 inch arp header bolts. Chrome is pretty , but black works just fine.
Percy's aluminum was my initial thought.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 5
From: Ypsilanti MI
Cruise-In 10-11-12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'14
Anyone running the stage 8 locking fasteners? I see Summit has a set of those with gaskets for the LTI, not sure about the quality of the gaskets, so I may opt for a separate set of gaskets and bolts over the kit. I have known of Stage 8 for years, but never known anyone who actually used them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I've tried the aluminum ones ,the carbon ones and the copper ones and I am right back to the good old cheap paper gaskets, no certain brand either. If you follow a sequence with the bolts you won't need the lockers but that's JMO. I install the gaskets, tighten them down good, then fire the engine and let them get good & hot. Then I shut it down, let them cool and tighten them again. Then I take the car out for a 10-20 minute run, come back, let them cool & tighten them one last time. If you check with Summit you will find that ARP makes a NASCAR header bolt. It is an ordinary 3/8 bolt with a tiny 5/16 hex head on it, makes it much easier to get a wrench on them in tight spots. Last, if you can, use the 1 inch long bolts, they stay tight much better and go deeper into the head, a big plus with aluminum heads.
