Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Broke header bolt..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 07:53 PM
  #1  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default Broke header bolt..

Ok i broke one of the headers bolts on my car when i was puttin the final snug on it..
its one of the 2 center in the center bolt the farthest back of 2...

So i pulled the header off and messed around with a pair of vise grips and it still wouldnt come out..So i left it alone because i didnt wanna mess up what i had left of the stud sticking out (1/8")

Started the car with the open mid pipes (waiting on pipes from slp for i can connect the catback) and didnt hear anything, it was kinda hard since the car is so loud. Also felt around the area and didnt feel it pushing any air. then i also sprayed some carb cleaner in the area and didnt get anything..

So what are the chances it wont leak.. i heard from some local guys on not having issues and as long as all the other bolts are tight.

If it does leak i am gonna have a friend come over and weld a nut on it and try and get it out, but right now i dont wanna mess with it..

Kinda sucks since i put lt's on my 5.3 sierra and didnt have a single issue.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 08:08 PM
  #2  
WYATT318MOPAR's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: Grayson, KY 41143
Default

welding on the nut is probably the best idea. Did you use anti seize on the header bolts before you installed them. I always do so the steel bolts don't gauld to the threads in the heads.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 08:15 PM
  #3  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default

yep....
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 08:20 PM
  #4  
ae13291's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: san fernando valley, california
Default

testing it on idle is one thing, testing it while the engine is under load is another. believe it or not i had a bolt broken in mine FROM FACTORY. i used some regular vise grips dident work for me, but my brother had some of the craftsman professional good vise grips and that thing pulled it out easy. try using WD-40 around it as well. you have to fix that.
+1 for anti seize in aluminum heads
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 09:32 PM
  #5  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default

that is true ive just heard alotta guys not having problems with leaks and i was hoping since the other bolt was right next to it.. it wouldnt ruin the clamping force too much..

ill guess ill find out for sure once i get the exhaust all done
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2008 | 05:59 PM
  #6  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default

so has anyone broke one and it not leak?
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2008 | 06:35 PM
  #7  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default

ok got the g/f to crawl under the car and block the exhaust off with a few pieces of wood for it would muffler and almost silent the car and build up some pressure...NO LEAK
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2008 | 07:00 PM
  #8  
94'BLKBRD's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (76)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Default

I don't see one bolt being a big deal. I couldn't get the last bolt in on the passenger's side so I said **** it. It's been 2-3 months now and no leak.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 7, 2008 | 07:00 PM
  #9  
dyls1's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

Originally Posted by 04BlackGmc
ok got the g/f to crawl under the car and block the exhaust off with a few pieces of wood for it would muffler and almost silent the car and build up some pressure...NO LEAK
I don't think that would really seal up tight enough to notice, but kudos to your gf for helping .

Maybe it is good enough but if it isn't take the exhaust off and then try heating up the area around the bolt and the bolt itself. Then take a candle or crayon and rub it around the threads and they should suck the wax in. Then put some vice grips on it. Its worked for me before, give it a try
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2008 | 09:38 PM
  #10  
Unertl42's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (63)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: IA
Default

the easiest thing to do is weld a nut on, if you can screw it on a little, it works even better, but then you can just remove it with whatever tickles your fancy.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2008 | 12:24 AM
  #11  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default

Originally Posted by dyls1
I don't think that would really seal up tight enough to notice, but kudos to your gf for helping .
i would say it sealed it very well since the car was almost silent...


if it does leak im gonna have a buddy bring a welder over and weld a nut to the stud like said...but right now if it doesnt leak im not gonna worry.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2008 | 01:06 AM
  #12  
GMCtrk's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,853
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default

hey there, I have a broken bolt INSIDE the head on the last bolt hole, drivers side. I installed some headers and did not put a screw in that last bolt hole. To my surprise, no leak
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2008 | 01:16 AM
  #13  
stoverz28's Avatar
TECH Resident
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 792
Likes: 6
From: Buda, Texas
Default

Id try to use a flathead screwdriver to get it out. You can take a piece of a hacksaw blade and carve a notch in the broken bolt, then just screw it right out. Might be easier than a welder considering the small amount of space.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2008 | 09:12 AM
  #14  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default

Originally Posted by GMCtrk
hey there, I have a broken bolt INSIDE the head on the last bolt hole, drivers side. I installed some headers and did not put a screw in that last bolt hole. To my surprise, no leak
thats what im talking about lol
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2008 | 09:21 PM
  #15  
04BlackGmc's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: STL
Default

finally got the Connection pipes from SLP got all the exhaust done tonight...

no leaks!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:31 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE