Confused; header bolts - antiseize or thread locker or nothing?
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Albany, GA
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Confused; header bolts - antiseize or thread locker or nothing?
Doing a header install this weekend. I tried to search, but for some reason it isn't pulling up any information regarding antiseize or thread locker. In the past, I've seen posts where people talk about using one or the other on their header bolts. Don't they serve two opposite purposes? I'm confused; which do I go with? Or do I not put anything on them? Thanks.
#2
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Put antiseize on all header bolts. It prevents them from rust and from bonding to the block. Otherwise, after time, you'll have a lot of trouble getting them out again, especially if you use locktite, or any other kind of locking stuff.
#3
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Fort Myers, FL.
Posts: 3,857
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would at least use antiseize on the bolts. some people use loctite if they know that is the only header they want to have on their car and want the best holding power, but it is not necessary.
#4
TECH Addict
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Antiseize is what I used and I haven't had trouble breaking loose the bolts when I removed my headers after 2 years. Don't use thread lock or you'll have some real trouble breaking them loose.
#7
TECH Addict
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would always recommend anti sieze when bolting steel
into aluminum. The factory header bolts have some kind
of stuff on the threads, I'm -guessing- maybe some kind
of teflon compound. Serves both purposes. Whatever it
is, I had a bitch of a time getting it off/out of a few bolts/
holes as a couple wanted to bind up tight before being
pulled in fully.
into aluminum. The factory header bolts have some kind
of stuff on the threads, I'm -guessing- maybe some kind
of teflon compound. Serves both purposes. Whatever it
is, I had a bitch of a time getting it off/out of a few bolts/
holes as a couple wanted to bind up tight before being
pulled in fully.
Trending Topics
#11
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Marc '99T/A
Thanks for all the quick responses. How hard is it to get a torque wrench in there to torque them down? 18ft/lbs, right?
I'd also recommend new plugs and wires...It's just a convinient time to do them.
#15
12 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lutherville, Maryland
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by gwj
I would always recommend anti sieze when bolting steel
into aluminum. The factory header bolts have some kind
of stuff on the threads, I'm -guessing- maybe some kind
of teflon compound. Serves both purposes. Whatever it
is, I had a bitch of a time getting it off/out of a few bolts/
holes as a couple wanted to bind up tight before being
pulled in fully.
into aluminum. The factory header bolts have some kind
of stuff on the threads, I'm -guessing- maybe some kind
of teflon compound. Serves both purposes. Whatever it
is, I had a bitch of a time getting it off/out of a few bolts/
holes as a couple wanted to bind up tight before being
pulled in fully.
Chris
#16
That's what she said...
iTrader: (8)
Originally Posted by mean02Z28
The factory bolts have threadlocker applied. GM recommends applying their own threadlocker to the threads. I have some and it is essentially red loctite.
Chris
Chris
I would NEVER use loctite on header bolts (or any other bolt that i could stand to have fall out). Would you rather remove a head to get out a snapped bolt, or reach down and tighten your exhaust?