Header Bolots Crossthreading.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Newark CA
Header Bolots Crossthreading.
I poped the head of the first bolt on my driver side header. I am not sure why but now there is the 4th one from the front that went in perfectly fine..until half way and now its super tight. I feel like I will pop this one too ...anything I can do? maybe add washers to compensate ... I am not sure why all those bolts keep doing that they wehre kind of tight to begin with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
I agree clean the threads. You should be able to screw the bolts in by hand, then use a wrench on the last few turns. The heads are aluminum so it does not take much to mess up the threads, be careful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
next time, invest the 10 minutes to run all 12 holes with a factory bolt and some anti sieze, this way you know you are good to go before the headers are in place
always start on the LHS rear, always have all 6 bolts started by hand before touching them with a wrench
headers that are best to install?, American Racing without a doubt
always start on the LHS rear, always have all 6 bolts started by hand before touching them with a wrench
headers that are best to install?, American Racing without a doubt
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Reason for the suggestion is that it is likely misalignment got him into this and a misaligned tap will make it worse. He also needs to get the broken ones out which are under the surface of the header flange.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Standard procedure for any work involving the removal of a bolt is to visually inspect, then clean up the threads on the bolt with a die and/or wire wheel. Use a tap to clean out the bolt hole, then blow out the hole with air. Use caution in keeping exposed engine areas from flying debris and wear safety goggles.
If a bolt will not thread in by hand – something is wrong. Find the problem and fix it.
This job is tedious – but it will save you from cross threads and snapped bolts.
Use some anti-seize on those header bolts, also.
If a bolt will not thread in by hand – something is wrong. Find the problem and fix it.
This job is tedious – but it will save you from cross threads and snapped bolts.
Use some anti-seize on those header bolts, also.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
A tap will remove metal from the threaded hole...that's not a good idea with aluminum. You want to use a thread cleaner or "chaser" kit. It looks like a tap, but doesn't remove any more metal. You can find thread chasers in various sizes from any good tool supply or auto supply store. This SAE kit from SUMMIT RACING is $12.95. Are you sure there isn't a previous bolt broken off inside the hole?
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 22, 2007 at 12:24 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
A tap will remove metal from the threaded hole...that's not a good idea with aluminum. You want to use a thread cleaner or "chaser" kit. It looks like a tap, but doesn't remove any more metal. You can find thread chasers in various sizes from any good tool supply or auto supply store. This SAE kit from SUMMIT RACING is $12.95. Are you sure there isn't a previous bolt broken off inside the hole?
I think I'll have to get a set of these!!
