Header Bolts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 12
From: Jacksonville NC
Header Bolts
Not sure what the proper torque specs for c-5 header bolts, the only thing I can find is 18 ft lbs, also should I use lock tight on the bolts. Thanks for your advice and knowledge with this.
Robert
edusmc1
usmc 28 Years Active
Robert
edusmc1
usmc 28 Years Active
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Anti seize on the header bolt threads.
Make sure not to over tighten. Aluminum threads in heads against the threads of the steel bolts....
Guess who will win that war of torque.
Good luck.
Make sure not to over tighten. Aluminum threads in heads against the threads of the steel bolts....
Guess who will win that war of torque.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 12
From: Jacksonville NC
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Use your hands only until the bolt is in quite a ways. A lot of guys have cross-threaded while attempting to hold the header, and gasket and bolt and turn the bolt.... You get the picture. If you thread only by hand without a wrench until all are started and in several turns you will be OK.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,361
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
One more "tip"....When installing headers, the bolt holes on a header flange tend to be a little tighter fitting than iron manifolds. Therefore, install them by putting all the bolts in, then turn each one a a half turn or so, working from the middle out, and continue this, back and forth, until the bolts are all snug, and the header flange is flat to the cylinder head.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Here's another good tip, unless you have 3 hands.
Take the 2 end bolts from each side and throw them away and replace them with studs.
Then simply hang the gasket and slide the header over the studs and run a couple of nuts with flat washers on loosely, then install the remaing bolts finger tight.
As mentioned before tighten from the center out to each end to 18 ft.lbs
Take the 2 end bolts from each side and throw them away and replace them with studs.
Then simply hang the gasket and slide the header over the studs and run a couple of nuts with flat washers on loosely, then install the remaing bolts finger tight.
As mentioned before tighten from the center out to each end to 18 ft.lbs
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
One more "tip"....When installing headers, the bolt holes on a header flange tend to be a little tighter fitting than iron manifolds. Therefore, install them by putting all the bolts in, then turn each one a a half turn or so, working from the middle out, and continue this, back and forth, until the bolts are all snug, and the header flange is flat to the cylinder head.
I don't do the 'each bolt half turn', but will be 100% sure all 6 have a few threads started prior to tightening.
1. Stock bolts
2. NO anti-sieze
3. My elbow is calibrated better than the most non-PMEL certified TQ wrenches
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Here's another good tip, unless you have 3 hands.
Take the 2 end bolts from each side and throw them away and replace them with studs.
Then simply hang the gasket and slide the header over the studs and run a couple of nuts with flat washers on loosely, then install the remaing bolts finger tight.
As mentioned before tighten from the center out to each end to 18 ft.lbs
Take the 2 end bolts from each side and throw them away and replace them with studs.
Then simply hang the gasket and slide the header over the studs and run a couple of nuts with flat washers on loosely, then install the remaing bolts finger tight.
As mentioned before tighten from the center out to each end to 18 ft.lbs
I like it. That's a very handy way to install headers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 12
From: Jacksonville NC
Header Bolts
Put a new set of GM exhaust mainifold gaskets on tonight and new set of bolts, how far should I drive it or just let it run before re tighten bolts again. Torqued to 18 ft lb's
Thanks
Robert
Thanks
Robert
Last edited by edusmc1; Mar 16, 2012 at 10:46 PM.
