Hooker headers
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Brockton, Massachusetts
Hooker headers I have hooker long tubes on my 96 LT1. I am having a problem with getting my gaskets to seal to the block. I have percy's aluminum gaskets with stage 8 locking bolts and I still blew out a gasket. I'm thinking that I am just not tighting the bolts enough. I can't really get any tool between those last 2 header tubes on the passengerside. Does anyone have a secret tool or tip 2 tightening the 2 bolts by the dipstick? I always blow the gasket out right there. Thank you.
I have hooker long tubes on my 96 LT1. I am having a problem with getting my gaskets to seal to the block. I have percy's aluminum gaskets with stage 8 locking bolts and I still blew out a gasket. I'm thinking that I am just not tighting the bolts enough. I can't really get any tool between those last 2 header tubes on the passengerside. Does anyone have a secret tool or tip 2 tightening the 2 bolts by the dipstick? I always blow the gasket out right there. Thank you.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...1&autoview=sku
Either the 3/4" or 1" header bolts will work. The 3/8" hex head or even a 12-point will make your life a thousand times easier than Stage 8 piles of garbage. You will be able to use a socket on all the drivers side bolts and most on the passenger (depending on what stock components you still have on the engine). I had Stage 8's and always had problems trying to tighten them. I've never had problems with ARP's coming loose after re-tightening them a few times due to the shrinkage of new header gaskets.
actually the set up i got came with some good bolts and lock washers
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,023
Likes: 6
From: LT1 land...the "409" of the 90s!
Guys that copper **** don't work listen yo what people are talling you. the only thing that seals is the silicone you put on both sides to seal it up.
I am using ARP Stainless 5/16th head 12point bolts 1 inch long
I am using ARP Stainless 5/16th head 12point bolts 1 inch long
Trending Topics
Teching In
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
actually the set up i got came with some good bolts and lock washers
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
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
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
From everyone I have talked to the Percy Gaskets dont seal like they are supposed...not my personal experience just what I heard...I have pacesetters with copper gaskets and they work great
We also Mr Gasket 5903 header gaskets which have worked very well over the tears.
I've also heard that these work good and help with getting into tight spaces.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...3&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...3&autoview=sku
That's the key right there. The extra threads make a world of difference.
1" (locking or otherwise) and check them often at first.
Once you've gone a few heat cycles without them coming lose again, you can check less frequently.
Just don't overtighten and strip the bolt hole.
Helicoils are cheap, but tough to install with the heads on the motor.
I use 1" stage8s, not so much for the locks (we ditched those on the last build),
but actually for the ability to use a hex driver where a wrench or socket won't fit.
1" (locking or otherwise) and check them often at first.
Once you've gone a few heat cycles without them coming lose again, you can check less frequently.
Just don't overtighten and strip the bolt hole.
Helicoils are cheap, but tough to install with the heads on the motor.
I use 1" stage8s, not so much for the locks (we ditched those on the last build),
but actually for the ability to use a hex driver where a wrench or socket won't fit.
I have hooker long tubes on my 96 LT1. I am having a problem with getting my gaskets to seal to the block. I have percy's aluminum gaskets with stage 8 locking bolts and I still blew out a gasket. I'm thinking that I am just not tighting the bolts enough. I can't really get any tool between those last 2 header tubes on the passengerside. Does anyone have a secret tool or tip 2 tightening the 2 bolts by the dipstick? I always blow the gasket out right there. Thank you.
1) Get Flowtech Dead soft aluminum header gasket, Can of WD-40, Scotch brite Red pads OR wirly bird, Brake clean.
2) Depending if your going to remove the header or just pull it back, un do all the header bolts and pull the header back.
3) Spray WD-40 on the cyl head and header flange, scrub with Scotch Brite pad. then spay with Brake clean and possible a paper towel. This ensures a CLEAN surface.
4) Once done, put new gasket in and loosely bolt the header in.
5) TIGHTEN from the inside, outward. The MLA gasket will compress and you will need to do 3-4 passes from inside out.
6) Run the car through a few heat cycles, check, replete, and re check.
7) Then check every 500-1000 miles or every month.
IMHO, I personally don't like 12 point header bolts. 12 points forces you to use the closed end of the wrench and that closed end doesn't fit next to all the tubes. At least it doesn't on my Hooker headers. 
__________________
95 Pontiac Formula- Stock engine with ATI Procharger, Moser 12 bolt w/4:30 gears, Rossler trans, Neil Chance 4000 stall, M/T ET streets, 10.914@ 121.90mph, 1.452 60ft. GMHTP November 2010 Feature Car. Check it out at:
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...ebird-formula/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abZ1z...ature=youtu.be
95 Pontiac Formula- Stock engine with ATI Procharger, Moser 12 bolt w/4:30 gears, Rossler trans, Neil Chance 4000 stall, M/T ET streets, 10.914@ 121.90mph, 1.452 60ft. GMHTP November 2010 Feature Car. Check it out at:
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...ebird-formula/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abZ1z...ature=youtu.be
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,023
Likes: 6
From: LT1 land...the "409" of the 90s!
Wrench fits on every one. I tightened the ones on the wifes car five years ago and never touched them again. To bad the Water pump bearing bew out and took the engine with it 
Hummmm.....that explains everything. Mine have a 3/8ths head. I bet that makes a hell of a difference!
__________________
95 Pontiac Formula- Stock engine with ATI Procharger, Moser 12 bolt w/4:30 gears, Rossler trans, Neil Chance 4000 stall, M/T ET streets, 10.914@ 121.90mph, 1.452 60ft. GMHTP November 2010 Feature Car. Check it out at:
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...ebird-formula/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abZ1z...ature=youtu.be
95 Pontiac Formula- Stock engine with ATI Procharger, Moser 12 bolt w/4:30 gears, Rossler trans, Neil Chance 4000 stall, M/T ET streets, 10.914@ 121.90mph, 1.452 60ft. GMHTP November 2010 Feature Car. Check it out at:
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...ebird-formula/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abZ1z...ature=youtu.be
