So I was installing some long tube headers and I snapped off one of the header bolts .... Will it be ok being held in by the other 5 or am I going to have to remove the head and have it taken out or what .... ?
Just need some experienced advice .... Thanks

 

Search is your friend.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ader-bolt.html

I would take the headers off and try to get the bolt out, but if not then yes I would take the head off and do it right.....sucks I know..

 

you will never get a correct seal on the flange missing a bolt. Do it right or dont do it at all.And taking the head off of the engine is the correct way.

 

That's exactly what I don't want to hear but while end up having to do I guess ....

 

You can run it but you will have a exhaust leak. I lost a bolt and drove without without it for a couple days just made sure it was a center one. I had a ticking sound

 

Yeah I ended up taking the header back off . It is barely sticking out and not enough to get a grip on it with anything. I'm hoping I can get it out without taking the head off ....

 

Same thing happened to me when I installed my headers about a year and a half ago. It was the bolt closest to the firewall on the drivers side. Tried and tried to get it out, unsuccessfully. Ended up bolting everything up and seeing if it would leak. To this day it still hasn't. I'm not gonna mess with it until I need to pull the heads for another reason. I suppose the super thick flange on the AR headers is a factor.

 

Nice that's good to hear in case I don't get it out with the head on .... What gasket did you use ?? If you can get away with an end bolt missing I should have a chance at it being ok considering mine is second from the front on the driver side .... I'm definitly getting new header bolts before they go on now just in case ...

 

You need to get an angle drill and drill a hole in the stem just big enought to get an easy out on. then tap the easy out in and remove the remainder of the bolt stem. Did you break it off putting it in or removing it?

 

Re-used the stock gasket.

 

I broke a header bolt. The two bolts on either side of it hold it very well in my case. I do not have any leak. Eventually I will get an angle drill and tap it out.

 

I see that a lot of people re use the stock gasket are they really better than after market ones ? I'll have to try the angle drill approach .... I broke the second from the front driver side bolt so I think I have a good chance of getting it out if possible if not I'll have to test out trying it with it in there .... Are there any after market header bolts that may be better than others or stock ones .... ? Thanks for the responses .

 

I've been told stock ones are the best.

 

Nice . I was considering header studs so I didn't run into the same problem .... If the stock ones are good I might just stick with a new set of stock ones though .... Thanks

 

As far as which bolts to use. Ones that don't corrode, stainless steal, or ones with a coating. If you do decide to leave the broken bolt in there I would recomend putting some washers on the bolts to the sides of the broken bolt. They will help apply even force to the header flange. GL

 

lol thats my thread dude. my car is at a shop right now. got any questions for me? lol

 

Haha sweet I feel your pain man . Did you end up trying it with the bolt in there or did you just decide to take it to shop immediately . Also any damage to the head ? Thanks man

 

i was gonna take the headers out and use my right angle drill to get from unerneath the car. I started takin out the other side and another one broke. I was fed up. I started at 8 am the day before to install the headers and was outside till 1230 am. I worked my *** off and ended up getin sick lol. So I decided to let a shop do it and i figured they can weld the ory instead of those band clamps they send.

The guy called me 2 days ago and said they were not gonna take the heads off. They decided to drop the engine out and work on it like that. So I dont know details yet. I can tell you the passenger side bolt is really in there though.

 

Is dropping and engine really easier than taking a head off???

Sounds like an expensive header bolt fix to me.

 

I agree with ^^ . Sounds like a LOT more work !!