i did the driver's side today. everything went pretty smoothly. went in from the top. my problem is bolting the header on to the heads. the last three bolts went in fine, 11 and then 18 ft-lbs. however the front three bolts are screwy or i'm screwed up. they go on until half way and then get really difficult tighten. i tested them and they torqued at about 50 when i stopped and got nervous. i went ahead and pulled them all and changed the order and re-set them, but no good. clearly this can't be normal. please help with ideas!!!

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 1/4master:
<strong> i did the driver's side today. everything went pretty smoothly. went in from the top. my problem is bolting the header on to the heads. the last three bolts went in fine, 11 and then 18 ft-lbs. however the front three bolts are screwy or i'm screwed up. they go on until half way and then get really difficult tighten. i tested them and they torqued at about 50 when i stopped and got nervous. i went ahead and pulled them all and changed the order and re-set them, but no good. clearly this can't be normal. please help with ideas!!! </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">First.. you are not trying to put the front three in with the back three torqued right???

There may be some anti-seize or crap on the inner threads in the block or on the bolts themselves and you may need to get a tap and clean the threads in the block, carefully. I did not encounter any problem with mine but that is the only things I can think of <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

 

I agree with the above. Clean the threads with a tap, clean the threads of the bolts. Check them every once in a while after you get the car running. Once the heads heat up and cool down again, the bolts may loosen up again. Good luck

 

You have to put ALL the bolts in first before you even attempt to torque them all down, otherwise you're gonna risk screwing up the threads of the last few bolts because they'll be hard to start.

Take the header off, make sure all bolts go into the head just fine with the header out of the way, and repair any threads if needed. THEN, put the header back into place, *start* all 6 bolts, then hand tighten them all, then torque them all.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by J&JsTA:
<strong> you are not trying to put the front three in with the back three torqued right???

</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">yes i did. after the back 3 went on and i got stuck on the fronts, i checked them to see if i could torque them to 18ft-lbs. please tell me i didn't f&ck this up even worse.

old antiseize makes perfect sense, the bolts have some crusty anti-seize on them. i think i'll buy no ones from GM tomorrow just in case. as far as a tap on the heads, what exactly is a tap and how do i do this? i feel like such a noob! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

relax... first do what JMX suggests.... take the header off and hand turn all of the bolts in first to make sure everything is okay.... you may not have a problem. Do that and then take it from there if they won't go in you will need to first get some new bolts and try them, Always work with the cheapest/easiest solution first to save your money and your time <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> If that don't work you may then want to tap out the holes and try again.

 

thanks. glad to know i don't have to buy a new engine <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> . can someone explain "tapping the holes" please? you guys freakin' rule!!!

 

Here's a quicky explanation.... basically you won't be cutting a new hole just cleaning up the existing threads Metal hole tapping... may I add you need to read up and be completely comfortable with this process before you proceed if you need to do this as you CAN DAMAGE THE THREADS if you do not do the process correctly. You will need the thread size (which I don't know off hand)so you can purchase the appropriate tap if need be <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

nice. thanks again. home depot?

john