02WS6SSZ71

iTrader: (20)

Rounding up parts to do my 1st LT car header install. My big question: Are there any little things I need since I will be maintaining emissions components i.e. gaskets for AIR or EGR?

And now let the fists fly...

header gaskets: Flepro 1406 vs GM embossed steel vs Mr Gasket 5903 vs Mr Gasket 720-4804G

My experience in the LS world makes me want to use option D, as MLS gaskets always provide a leak-free seal...but I'm asking the experts' opinion, so please share.

Lastly, regarding ARP bolts: If using bolts with a 5/16ths head, can you get away with the 12 pt? I would like to use stainless, but you can't get 6 pt stainless as far as I can tell. If the 12 pt are a huge pita, I'll go black oxide 6 pt.

Thanks

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

You'll be better off with 1406 gaskets than using steal. Reason being is the flange on the headers will most likely not be as flat as the stock manifold therefore you will be prone to exhaust leaks using a steal gasket.
As far as header bolts go, I've always used ARP 3/8X0.75 stainless six-point bolts and they do just fine. I reckon it depends on the flange thickness, but I run Hooker headers and the bolts are plenty long enough to hold the headers in place.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

I used ARP 3/8-16x1.00 6 point stainless part #400-1111. They have a 3/8 head which had plenty of clearance for me and you can use a box or open end on them. Stay away from 12 pt for header bolts. My header flanges are .375 thick hence the 1.00 length, the bolt holes in the head are plenty deep.

Blue85350

iTrader: (1)

I've got 3/8" 12 point arp bolts and I hate them. I can hardly get a wrench on them, I just haven't got around to ordering the 6 points or 5/16 bolts yet.

02WS6SSZ71

iTrader: (20)

Thanks for the help. Anyone on the AIR/EGR connections?

BTC

What kind of headers are you installing? If they have a thick flange, I would use a 1" bolt. If possible, I would probably use a 1" bolt regardless. The bolts I used were 12 points with a 3/8" head. I had to grind down the box end of a wrench to get it on some of the bolts. I also think I used a socket and vice grips on a few of the bolts.

02WS6SSZ71

iTrader: (20)

Kooks headers. Yeah, I was planning on a 1" bolt, and was going for a 5/16 bolt head. Just curious if using the smaller size bolt head gave clearance to get a socket on every bolt some I could get the 12 pt stainless bolts. I'll just run with the black oxide 6 pts instead...just wanted some stainless bolts to go with the headers, but prolly won't be able to see much of them anyway.

BTC

Use some stainless bolts. Just my opinion. You spent a wad on those headers. It's been a long time since I installed my headers, but I think I used a wrench on most of the bolts. A 5/16" head would definitely help. Tightening the bolts was one of the biggest pains of the entire install, from what I remember.

IronOutlaw

iTrader: (4)

I used $9 spectre bolts from Pepboys and have had no issues with them. I had to tighten them once after some heat cycles but they have held fine since. Also Im using the cheap gaskets that came with my ebay headers. I like the spectres because they have an allen head and come with a swiveling allen wrench. I also could fit a wrench on all but two of the bolts and used the allen wrench on the two remainders.