Confused; header bolts - antiseize or thread locker or nothing?
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.
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.
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.
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.
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
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
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
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.
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
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?
