Damn Header Bolts...
Damn Header Bolts... Well I had an exhaust leak from one of the cheapo gaskets from when I installed my LTs so I thought Id go out and replace it with one of the good gaskets. Everything comes off easy and I get the gaskets switched, but then the bolts wont go in correctly any more. Four of the six go in fine, but Im pretty sure that the threads are messed up in the other two holes. After about ten turns the bolt looks like its going in crooked and gets almost impossible to turn. Ive tried different bolts, but its the same situation over and over. Would I be able to fix it with just using a tap and die set to redo the threads? Im really hoping that I dont have to remove the heads or anything just cause I replaced a freakin gasket. Any advice is apprecaited. Thanks guys.
I could be wrong, but it sounds like there is some of the loctite in there from the factory bolts. I would cut a notch in one of your bolts and rund it down till it starts to get tight and back it off and see if any crud comes out. Hope this helps!
Already tried to see if theres anything in there, but no luck. There was never any residue on any of the bolts when they came out. I really think its the threads, but I dont want to try and tap them if I dont need to.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville
Yeah got to AZ or any parts store with one of your header bolts in hand. They will get you the tap an die you need, an just clean the threads up. The same thing happen to me an I cleaned the hole out an the bolt went in like butter.
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Are you sure there is a problem with the threads? If you took all the bolts out fine, they should go back in just as easily. Take off the header and the gasket and try threading your bolts straight into the head. My bet is that the header or gasket isn't lined up perfectly
i started having similar issue when installing my headers, the bolts would go in decent, then get weird. after 2 i stopped and took em back out. i knew i could get the bolts in but didnt know about how much damage i was doing. So instead, i ordered ARP header studs and installed those, then slipped the headers over, that way once the studs are in, i was happy and didnt have to worry about them. and by doing the studs first and being able to see and lien them up better without the headers in the way, all the rest went in perfect.
Last edited by Smokingss; May 16, 2007 at 10:36 PM.
Yeah Im sure its the threads. The gasket and header line up fine and its not the placement of the header holes w/ the head. Even if I try and thread the two problem bolts first lining the holes up with those to start it still gives me issues. I cant really take the header out because its attached to the rest of the exhaust system and the cars not in a place that I can jack it up to get under it. I will look into those header studs though, they seem like they could be a way to fix future headaches.
Originally Posted by DropTopBird
I cant really take the header out because its attached to the rest of the exhaust system and the cars not in a place that I can jack it up to get under it.
I am assuming thats what happened, but Im thinking it was more from when I took them out. When I put the bolts back in, I made sure that the manifold wasnt putting any stress on the bolts but I neglected to think of it when I was removing them. I did learn that lesson though and I sure wont do it again in the future. Hope others can learn from my mistake.
