Cant get header bolt through
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Cant get header bolt through
So I just removed my stock manifolds, and spent an unmeasureable amount of time trying to get my Driver's side Kooks header through. 
Now that the header is in, I began threading my Stage 8 bolts by hand. All of them went in just fine except for the infamous back bolt (number 7 I think).
Here is my issue. I am thinking of just pushing through and saying that I am over it. I will not be removing the headers again until it is time to get AFR heads, so I am not sure if I am worried for no reason.
I have not bolted the headers up, yet and will wait to hear your responses.
If I should just push through and not worry about crossthreading the head, then I will finish the install tomorrow after work. Otherwise, please suggest an alternative.
Thanks
Mike
Now that the header is in, I began threading my Stage 8 bolts by hand. All of them went in just fine except for the infamous back bolt (number 7 I think).
Here is my issue. I am thinking of just pushing through and saying that I am over it. I will not be removing the headers again until it is time to get AFR heads, so I am not sure if I am worried for no reason.
I have not bolted the headers up, yet and will wait to hear your responses.
If I should just push through and not worry about crossthreading the head, then I will finish the install tomorrow after work. Otherwise, please suggest an alternative.
Thanks
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Loosen all the bolts to the point of all most completly out . Then take out the bolt that is the easiest for you to get to. Now try and start the bolt that your having problems with while wiggling the loose header just ever so slightly. If you get the problm bolt in and now you cant start the easy to get to bolt in, I would then remove the header and open up one or two of the bolt holes a tad. Dont force the bolts in . You dont want to cross thread. Hopes this helps. KEEP MODDING!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,451
Likes: 2
From: East Peoria Illinois
im sure it is, but make sure the gasket is on properly and that you have the right gasket. Also, check the bolt well to make sure the threads are perfect. You dont want to crossthread, that will make life suck. Also, use Anti-sieze on your bolts to
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Loosen all the bolts to the point of all most completly out . Then take out the bolt that is the easiest for you to get to. Now try and start the bolt that your having problems with while wiggling the loose header just ever so slightly. If you get the problm bolt in and now you cant start the easy to get to bolt in, I would then remove the header and open up one or two of the bolt holes a tad. Dont force the bolts in . You dont want to cross thread. Hopes this helps. KEEP MODDING!!!!!
I feel for you, but if you force it you will need to repair it or have an exhaust leak! These aluminum heads are VERY easy to strip
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I removed the header, and tried threading the bolt directly in the head (by hand), and got the same result. It seems like it is going up and to the right, and it is only going in about 3 or 4 threads.
I am using Anti-seize, and have tried several differnt bolts, all having the same result.
I am worried that it might already be stripped.
A friend offered to help me tap the head if it is stripped, but I think that it is going to be too difficult to get to.
What is the worst thing that will happen if I strip the head? Will I be pissed at my self. I am scared to do anything more without your advice.
If I had the money, I would just remove the heads right now, and go all the way (Heads & Cam), but I dont.
Thanks Guys
Mike
I am using Anti-seize, and have tried several differnt bolts, all having the same result.
I am worried that it might already be stripped.
A friend offered to help me tap the head if it is stripped, but I think that it is going to be too difficult to get to.
What is the worst thing that will happen if I strip the head? Will I be pissed at my self. I am scared to do anything more without your advice.
If I had the money, I would just remove the heads right now, and go all the way (Heads & Cam), but I dont.
Thanks Guys
Mike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Should I bolt everything up, except for that hole?
How bad will it leak?
How big of a deal would it be, for a shop to tap the head, while it is still in the car? It is so hard to get to...maybe because I am not a small guy by any means, but still.
How bad will it leak?
How big of a deal would it be, for a shop to tap the head, while it is still in the car? It is so hard to get to...maybe because I am not a small guy by any means, but still.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
with the motor mounts off and everything taken off already for the header job. How much work would it be to replace the cam. Just wandering so that it is not a waist of time, if I have to remove the head. I hope that I dont have to, but I am considering the worst case.
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Are you able to get everything loose enough to get in there to the last hole and hand start a stud? That way maybe you could then slip the header onto the stud and use a nut on it and regular bolts on all the others.
Have you called George yet?
Have you called George yet?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
A friend told me that I could put washers on the bolt and thread it in until it stops. Sounded kind of pointless, but do you think that this will work?
I can get in there. I am going to call George as soon as I leave work.
Are you suggesting that I cut the head off of a bolt, and thread it into the Head, then find a nut that will fit? Has anyone done this? I will try it, if no one says that it is a bad idea.
Are you suggesting that I cut the head off of a bolt, and thread it into the Head, then find a nut that will fit? Has anyone done this? I will try it, if no one says that it is a bad idea.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
A friend told me that I could put washers on the bolt and thread it in until it stops. Sounded kind of pointless, but do you think that this will work?
I can get in there. I am going to call George as soon as I leave work.
Are you suggesting that I cut the head off of a bolt, and thread it into the Head, then find a nut that will fit? Has anyone done this? I will try it, if no one says that it is a bad idea.
I can get in there. I am going to call George as soon as I leave work.
Are you suggesting that I cut the head off of a bolt, and thread it into the Head, then find a nut that will fit? Has anyone done this? I will try it, if no one says that it is a bad idea.
BTW, keep in mind that George is on the east coast and I'm sure what time Kooks closes. I though it was nice of him to post up here and offer to help by phone.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Not necessarily cutting a bolt, but rather just buying a short (metric) stud say, about say 2" long or so. I agree with the others here, you really don't want strip or further damage the hole as it will most likely leak.
BTW, keep in mind that George is on the east coast and I'm sure what time Kooks closes. I though it was nice of him to post up here and offer to help by phone.
BTW, keep in mind that George is on the east coast and I'm sure what time Kooks closes. I though it was nice of him to post up here and offer to help by phone.
Thanks
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Just remember, the important thing is to get it started BY HAND and make sure it's going in straight and not "cocked" or crooked.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Sounds like the outer threads have already started to cross thread. Only other suggestion would be to get a tap and slowly run it in the hole to clean up the threads. If you use a tap, try to get one made for blind holes. They are flat on the nose. If you can only get a pointed end type, just make sure and only run it in far enough to start "repairing" the threads and don't go in too far where it bottoms out in the hole.Good luck.