Threadlocker for exhaust studs ?
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,756
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
Threadlocker for exhaust studs ? I got the ARP studs for my headers ( no more broken bolt problems for me ! ) they are $$$ but totally worth it IMO....I used anti seize on the head side of the stud to keep the stainless studs from reacting to the aluminum but now I am rethinking that heat cycles may back the studs out from the head side rather than the nut side....should I use high temp red threadlocker for peace of mind ?
I use plain header bolts on my car. I'v used the mechanical locking type, Althought they work well, they're a PITA to work with. I put a little bit of high temp copper silicone on the threads during assembly. I've never had a bolt come loose. I also use the same silicone instead of a gasket.
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I don't want to ping the linking policy, so if you google or search summit for "Stage 8 Locking Header Bolt Kits 8909" you'll get the idea. They can be a pain as said above, but i prefer that to having to clean threads. The silicone is a good idea. i just really don't like the residue from loctite or similar especially on aluminum threads, which are already softer than the bolts.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,756
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
backstory.........I paid 200$ to have broken exhaust bolts removed from the heads....I had bought some of those locking stage 8 bolts when I put TSP headers on my old car....but they would not fit....dont know where those bolts went off to as they were never used.....I decided that ARP header studs would would save me from stuck / broken bolts again....we know that you never TQ a stud down in its threaded hole....and we also know that heat cycles loosens bolts/nuts.....I just dont want the heat cycles to loosen from the head side rather than nut side....or they may just loosen from both...car wont be running for awhile to know
TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
Those looks nice. I have never had a header bolt come loose on an LS motor with just anti-seize and stock style gasket. The LS headers thick flanges seem to cure the problem. SBC motors i always had header bolts that came loose.
locking washers I got the ARP studs for my headers ( no more broken bolt problems for me ! ) they are $$$ but totally worth it IMO....I used anti seize on the head side of the stud to keep the stainless studs from reacting to the aluminum but now I am rethinking that heat cycles may back the studs out from the head side rather than the nut side....should I use high temp red threadlocker for peace of mind ?