elis94camaro

So i bought some ebay headers and everything was going fine until i had to bolt them in. I could only bolt up 4 of the bolts and the last two would not bolt in. I want to elongate the header flange bolt holes. I was wondering what would be the best way to do this and with what tool would you all recommend me getting. Thanks

Dannyac500

Trying to bolt them up to the heads? If so some of the holes you have to insert the bold before putting the header up there and work it in as you screw the bolts in. then once its cloce drop the gasket down behind. Had to do this with the pace setter headers.

elis94camaro

yeah it happens when im bolting them up. I even took them off and put the gasket on them and the two middle flange holes were not aligning with the gasket. i know they are misaligned because i put the gasket on my old pacesetters and and all of the holes lined up.

waltsfastz

iTrader: (4)

The proper thing would be to mount them on a milling machine andslot them with an end mill. However the logical thing would be a die grinder with a carblde deburr bit.

elis94camaro

Do you thinks an electric die grinder would get the job done?

waltsfastz

iTrader: (4)

Yes, Should be fine

elis94camaro

What is another tool I could use instead of a die grinder as I have to go buy one. I do have a dewalt drill with a chuck.

fleetmgr

Lacking a grinder of some sort, a rat tail file will do the job as well.

elis94camaro

So I could use a file for stainless steel to elongate the hole

fleetmgr

Certainly can. There's nothing at all magic about SS, at least not as far as a file is concerned. There's no such thing as a special file for SS. You just need a rat tail file that will fit in the hole. Make sure you put a handle on the file, it'll save your hand a lot of grief.

elis94camaro

Ok thanks for the response, Ill go get one later on today

BALLSS

OP

so you need to open up the holes on the budget ebay headers to get them to fit...hope they work out for you

at least use a good gasket. I have always had good luck with the FelPro

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Yeah if you need to open up the bolt holes I am now wondering how true the flange is. Fel-Pro 1406 gaskets all the way. Do not use a steel gasket or you may find yourself with massive leaks.

elis94camaro

Do you think Percy's aluminum gasket would work?

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Only if the flange is somewhat true, especially once it has been torqued down via header bolts. You can try it, but if you have exhaust leaks then you're better off with using a paper gasket.

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

OP, BEFORE you start grinding/cutting, explain where the mis-alignment is. I've seen some LT-1 "shorties" that have individual flanges that don't quite align "up and down" with the intended bolt holes. In that case, you need to get a couple of the bolts started, then use a brass drift, placed through the header flange, and into the bolt hole, and "coax" the flange in place, while placing a bolt in the adjacent hole.